Document Document Title
US08687665B1 Mutually injection locked lasers for enhanced frequency response
Semiconductor light-emitting devices; methods of forming semi-conductor light emitting devices, and methods of operating semi-conductor light emitting devices are provided. A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a first laser section monolithically integrated with a second laser section on a common substrate. Each laser section has a phase section, a gain section and at least one distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structure. The first laser section and the second laser section are optically coupled to permit optical feedback therebetween. Each phase section is configured to independently tune a respective one of the first laser section and second laser section relative to each other.
US08687664B2 Laser assembly with integrated photodiode
A laser assembly comprises a substrate, one or more standoffs and a semiconductor laser. The substrate has a first doped region and a second doped region. The second doped region is proximate to an upper surface of the substrate and forms a pn junction with the first doped region. The semiconductor laser is operative to emit light from an upper surface and a lower surface. Moreover, the semiconductor laser is attached to the upper surface of the substrate with the one or more standoffs such that the light emitted from the lower surface of the semiconductor laser impinges on the second doped region.
US08687663B2 Laser device
The laser device includes a semiconductor laser element having an emission surface from which laser light is emitted, an optical fiber having an end part facing the emission surface, and an optical fiber supporting member which (i) supports the optical fiber and (ii) has a bonding pad to which the optical fiber is fixed by solder. The optical fiber supporting member includes a beam part having (i) a first main surface on which the bonding pad is provided and (ii) a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, and a pillar part which is fixed to a base and is joined to the beam part on an end portion of the beam part such that the second main surface and the base face each other while being spatially away from each other.
US08687662B2 Pulsed laser source with high repetition rate
Methods and systems for generating pulses of laser radiation at higher repetition rates than those of available excimer lasers are disclosed that use multiple electronic triggers for multiple laser units and arrange the timings of the different triggers with successive delays, each delay being a fraction of the interval between two successive pulses of a single laser unit. Methods and systems for exposing nanoscale patterns using such high-repetition-rate lasers are disclosed.
US08687659B2 All-optical generation of 60 GHz millimeter wave using multiple wavelength Brillouin-Erbium fiber laser
A system (100) for generating a millimeter wave signals from heterodyning wavelengths from a multi-wavelength signal generated by a Brillouin-Erbium fiber laser (101). The Brillouin-Erbium fiber laser (101) includes a source laser (105) that transmits a seed signal. An optical directional coupler (110) has a first input that receives the seed signal from the source laser and a first output. An Erbium doped fiber amplifier (115) has an input connected to the first output of the optical directional coupler and an output. The Erbium doped fiber amplifier amplifies the seed signal. A four port circulator (120) has a first port that receives the seed signal from the Erbium doped fiber amplifier. A Brillouin gain medium (135) is connected to a second port and a third port of the circulator. The seed signal propagates through the Brillouin gain medium in a first direction and a first order Stokes signal propagates through the Brillouin gain medium in a second direction to generate a second order Stokes signal propagating in the first direction. A fourth port of the circulator is connected to a second input of the optical directional coupler. The optical directional coupler receives the signal from the fourth port of the circulator and outputs a portion of the signal to a first output and a second portion to a second output of the optical directional coupler. Two wavelengths from the second output are then received by a photodiode (150) that heterodynes the signal to generate a millimeter wave signal.
US08687658B2 High data rate interface with improved link synchronization
A data Interface for transferring digital data between a host and a client over a communication path using packet structures linked together to form a communication protocol for communicating a pre-selected set of digital control and presentation data. The signal protocol is used by link controllers configured to generate, transmit, and receive packets forming the communications protocol, and to form digital data into one or more types of data packets, with at least one residing in the host device and being coupled to the client through the communications path. The interface provides a cost-effective, low power, bi-directional, high-speed data transfer mechanism over a short-range “serial” type data link, which lends itself to implementation with miniature connectors and thin flexible cables which are especially useful in connecting display elements such as wearable micro-displays to portable computers and wireless communication devices.
US08687655B2 Signal demultiplexer, signal multiplexer, and signal multiplexer/demultiplexer
A signal demultiplexer includes a conversion unit that converts a format of a high speed signal transfer frame output from a terminating unit into a format of a converted frame; a parallelization unit that parallelizes the converted frame and outputs a predetermined number of data columns; and a separating unit that separates plural low speed signal transfer frames from the predetermined number of the data columns. The conversion unit converts the format of the high speed signal transfer frame into the format of the converted frame by delaying a signal storing area using first and second overhead areas, to include an “i” th tributary slot among the predetermined number of the tributary slots assigned to the signal storing area into an arbitrary “i” th data column among the predetermined number of the data columns, and to align front positions of the predetermined number of the data columns.
US08687652B2 Uplink ACK/NAK resource allocation
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate allocating uplink resources to mobile devices to employ to signal acknowledgment indicators. Persistently scheduled mobile devices can be explicitly assigned uplink resources. Dynamically scheduled mobile device can utilize a one-to-one mapping to identify uplink resources based upon a downlink control channel index. The one-to-one mapping can be revised to remove associations between downlink control channel indices and resources allocated to persistently scheduled users and/or reserved for other control signaling in a mixed resource block. In addition, downlink control channel indices can be selected to avoid collisions between dynamic and persistent users.
US08687650B2 System, method, and computer program product for connecting or coupling analog audio tone based communications systems over a packet data network
An automated telecommunications system includes a first system operable to receive PSTN compatible audio frequency signals, to decode and interpret said incoming signals according to the message format and a modem protocol being used, and transmit digital messages to a second system over a packet data network. Said second system receives and interprets digital messages incoming from the first system, encodes and regenerate outgoing audio frequency signals. The system may be bi-directional and operate over a packet based data network, such as for example an Internet protocol (IP) based network, a satellite based network, or an IP based cable or wireless network. The functionality of said first and second systems may be combined at a single location and operate with a VoIP network to allow modem signals to pass across the VoIP system.
US08687648B2 Wireless transmission of data using an available channel of a spectrum
In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for transmitting data using one or more identified channels of a spectrum. One example method comprises identifying, with a first communication device, at least one channel currently available in a digital broadcast spectrum, and receiving, with the first communication device, data sent from a second communication device. The method further comprises transmitting the data from the first communication device in the at least one identified channel of the digital broadcast spectrum, wherein the transmitted data complies with a digital broadcast format.
US08687647B2 Communication node, and token issuing method and token-ring communication method in ring communication system
A communication node includes a token-start-right acquisition processor that issues a token-start-right acquisition frame containing specific information, determines a priority based on predetermined reference using specific information for other communication node and the specific information for the own communication node upon reception of a token-start-right acquisition frame from the other communication node, issues the token-start-right acquisition frame at a predetermined time interval when the own communication node has a higher priority than the other communication node, and stops issuing the token-start-right acquisition frame when the own communication node has a lower priority than the other communication node, to forward the token-start-right acquisition frame of the other communication node, and also includes a token start processor that passes the token frame to the ring upon reception of the token-start-right acquisition frame which is issued by the token-start-right acquisition processor and circulates around the ring.
US08687646B2 Method and apparatus for bit and power allocation, and communication system
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for bit and power allocation and a communication system. The method for bit and power allocation comprises: determining a set of candidate modulation modes for sub-channels; constructing an SNR lookup table according to a predetermined target BER, the SNR lookup table containing a relationship of an SNR and the number of bits corresponding to a modulation mode in the set of candidate modulation modes at the target BER; obtaining normalized SNRs on the sub-channels; initializing the numbers of bits for the sub-channels; initializing powers for the sub-channels according to the numbers of bits for the sub-channels, the normalized SNRs on the sub-channels and the SNR lookup table; and adjusting the numbers of bits and the powers for the sub-channels in accordance with a principle of maximizing power utilization rate, to obtain the result of the bit and power allocation for the sub-channels.
US08687642B2 Hybrid coordination function (HCF) access through tiered contention and overlapped wireless cell mitigation
A method and system reduce interference between overlapping first and second wireless LAN cells in a medium. Each cell includes a respective plurality of member stations and there is at least one overlapped station occupying both cells. An inter-cell contention-free period value is assigned to a first access point station in the first cell, associated with an accessing order in the medium for member stations in the first and second cells. The access point transmits a beacon packet containing the inter-cell contention-free period value, which is intercepted at the overlapped station. The overlapped station forwards the inter-cell contention-free period value to member stations in the second cell. A second access point in the second cell can then delay transmissions by member stations in the second cell until after the inter-cell contention-free period expires.
US08687636B1 Extended policy control list keys having backwards compatibility
Techniques for processing packets in a network device include using a configuration table to determine a key corresponding to a packet. The configuration table may be indexed based on contents of a field of the packet (e.g., e/port or e/VLAN) to find a corresponding entry indicating a key format. When a key extension indicator has a first pre-determined value, a key extension field is added to the key format, and when the key extension indicator has a second pre-determined value, the key extension indicator is excluded from the key format. The populated key format or key (including any key extension field, if so determined) is used to determine a processing action for the packet. Key extension indicators support compatibility with non-legacy devices that utilize extended fields in packets, and with legacy devices. Embodiments of methods and network devices that support standard and extended keys are disclosed.
US08687635B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiver receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. A known data detector detects known data from the broadcast signal. An equalizer performs channel equalization on the mobile service data received by means of the detected known data. An RS frame decoder acquires an RS frame from the channel-equalized mobile service data. A management processor extracts a Generic Stream Encapsulation (GSE) packet from a GSE Base Band (BB) constructing one row of the RS frame, and calculates an IP datagram from the extracted GSE packet. A presentation processor displays broadcast data using data contained in the calculated IP datagram.
US08687633B2 Ethernet differentiated services architecture
An edge node of a communication network and method to classify incoming Ethernet traffic based on predetermined criteria. An ingress switch is configured to receive an incoming Ethernet frame. A frame classifier is configured to identify flows and to correlate a flow to a corresponding bandwidth profile and corresponding forwarding treatments defined for the flow.
US08687626B2 System and method for remote home monitoring utilizing a VoIP phone
A system and method for remote monitoring through a voice over Internet Protocol phone. An indicator configured to activate a video interface of the VoIP phone is received. A determination is made whether the indicator authorizes the video interface. The video interface of the VoIP phone is activated in response to determining the indicator authorizes the video interface. Video communications are sent and received between the VoIP phone utilized by a receiving party and a communications device utilized by a calling party. An action is performed in response to recognizing a response from the receiving party.
US08687625B2 Internet protocol transport of PSTN-to-PSTN telephony services
A system for transporting public switched network (PSTN) terminated signaling across an Internet protocol (IP) network includes a gateway between the PSTN and the IP network. The gateway receives a telephony signaling message from the PSTN and determines if the telephony signaling message maps to an IP signaling message. If the telephony signaling message does not map to an IP signaling message, the gateway packages the telephony signaling message in a special IP signaling message for transport over the IP network. If the gateway receives a special IP signaling special message, the gateway unpackages the telephony signaling message from the special message for transport over the PSTN. If the gateway receives DTMF signals from the PSTN, the gateway translates the DTMF signals to digits and packages the digits in a special IP signaling message for transport over the IP network. The gateway also packages the DTMF signals in an IP media transport protocol message for transport over the IP network.
US08687619B2 System and method of downlinking data to an unsynchronized user equipment in a telecommunications network
A system, method and node of downlinking transmissions to an unsynchronized UE in a telecommunications network. The method begins by a node in the network requesting synchronization of the UE with the network. A first transmission of data is sent from the node to the UE prior to synchronization of the UE. The UE then synchronizes with the network by the UE performing a Random Access procedure with the node, thereby triggering a time alignment command from the node to the UE to synchronize the UE with the network. A second transmission of data is then sent from the node to the UE after the UE is synchronized. A response feedback message is sent to the node from the UE. The message is a cumulative feedback message of the first transmission of data and the second transmission of data. Thus, data may be transmitted prior to synchronization of the UE.
US08687618B2 System and method which allow base station control of user equipment transmission
A signal is transmitted in a communication network system, in particular a mobile communication network system, from a user equipment, in particular a mobile user equipment, to a base station, which signal includes an information about the kind of a message intended to be transmitted from said user equipment to said base station, wherein said information must be acknowledged by said base station as a condition for transmitting said message from said user equipment to said base station.
US08687616B1 Wireless wide area network characteristics indicated over a wireless local area network
What is disclosed is a method of operating a communications system. The method includes transferring a wireless local area network (WLAN) beacon signal from a wireless transceiver, where the WLAN beacon signal comprises packets identifying the WLAN. The method further provides receiving wireless wide area network (WWAN) signals into the wireless transceiver and determining WWAN characteristics. The WWAN characteristics comprise at least one of signal strength, data rate, and transceiver battery status. The method further includes, in the wireless transceiver, inserting a characteristic indicator into the packet headers of the WLAN beacon signal indicating the WWAN characteristics.
US08687615B2 Mobile wireless communication terminal and wireless communication method
An HGW mobile device 20 can perform data communication on the basis of a plurality of wireless communication methods with different theoretical maximum transmission speeds, i.e., on the basis of a mobile wireless communication method and a wireless LAN communication method. Since the HGW mobile device 20 is provided with a mobile wireless communication unit 210 and a wireless LAN communication unit 250, it is able to relay data transmission between an external network 10 and a client terminal 30. A transmission speed initializing unit 230 sets a value according to a theoretical maximum transmission speed of the wireless communication method with the slower theoretical maximum transmission speed, i.e., the theoretical maximum transmission speed of the mobile wireless communication method, as an initial transmission speed for the wireless LAN communication unit 250 to first start wireless LAN communication with the client terminal 30 on the basis of the wireless LAN communication method.
US08687613B2 Method and system for peer to peer wide area network communication
A method and system for peer to peer wide area network communication is provided. A peer in the network receives one or more media and one or more associated control signaling from any one of a plurality of Logical Media/Control Channels, wherein each Logical Media/Control Channel is associated with a Transport Resource on a base station; formats the media into a Formatted Media Packet; formats the control signaling into an Internet Peer to Peer Control Signaling; concatenates the Formatted Media with the Internet-Peer to Peer Control Signaling to form a Concatenated Packet comprising an Internet-Peer to Peer Control Signaling and a Media Packet; duplicates the Concatenated Packet, thereby forming a duplicated Concatenated Packet comprising at least one of a unicast packet and a multicast packet; and transmits the duplicated Concatenated Packets via the wide area network.
US08687603B2 Method for improving discontinuous reception for a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method for improving discontinuous reception for a user equipment of a wireless communication system includes separately managing retransmission reception time limits of a plurality of downlink hybrid automatic repeat request (DL HARQ) processes when the discontinuous reception is used in the plurality of DL HARQ processes.
US08687601B2 Methods and apparatus to perform antenna management
Methods and apparatus to perform antenna management are described herein. One example method of establishing communication between user equipment and a network includes receiving a control channel message, decoding the control channel message, and sending an indication of whether interoperability of receiving signals from a first number of antennas is certified for the user equipment. Other examples are shown and described.
US08687596B2 Method of cell reselection in a wireless telecommunications device operative with a plurality of radio access networks
Apparatus and a method of cell reselection in a wireless telecommunications device operative with a plurality of radio access networks are disclosed. The method comprises, when the device is camped on a first radio access network: ranking cells in a neighboring list according to cell reselection criteria; considering for cell reselection a cell in the neighboring list; when the cell in the list is a cell of a second radio access network different from the first radio access network, applying an algorithm for cell reselection from the second radio access network to the first radio access network; and when the algorithm as applied would result in reselection to the first radio access network, considering for cell reselection another cell in the list.
US08687591B2 Relay node user plane support
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate providing user plane support for internet protocol (IP) relays. Service data units (SDU) received at a radio communication layer can be provided to an upper communication layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, without regard to sequence numbers. The upper communication layer can handle reordering of the received protocol data units. Since communications related to a plurality of devices through one or more IP relays can be mapped over a single bearer, allowing reordering at the upper communication layer can mitigate delay caused where a donor or other upstream access point is delayed in providing a sequential SDU related to one of a plurality of devices downstream. In this regard, SDUs related to other devices can be processed by the upper communication layer while waiting for the sequential SDU.
US08687582B2 Method and device for transmitting semi-persistent scheduling data
A method and device for transmitting semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) data reduces the probability of retransmitting a semi-persistent service, and increases the system throughput. The method includes: determining an initial transmission carrier for transmitting SPS data according to channel condition information of each carrier in multiple carriers and a gain of a match of a multi-user multiple-input and multiple-output (MU-MIMO) antenna unit; instructing, to a user, the determined initial transmission carrier for transmitting SPS data; and transmitting the SPS data to the user through the instructed initial transmission carrier for transmitting SPS data. The method and device are mainly applied to a process for transmitting SPS data in a carrier aggregation scenario.
US08687581B2 Method and device for sending and receiving control data on a wireless communications system
The present invention relates to a method and device for sending and receiving control data on a wireless communications system employing an aggregated carrier arrangement. In a method for transmitting control data on a wireless communications system supporting carrier aggregation according to one aspect of the present invention, a base station transmits, to a mobile station, information relating to physical cell ID (physical cell identification, hereinafter “PCI”) for use in uplink signal transmission, and receives an uplink signal generated from the mobile station using the PCI.
US08687579B2 Detection method and detection device of downlink control information
The present invention discloses a method for detecting downlink control information, including: when scheduling across carriers is enabled, determining by user equipment (UE) user-specific search space monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) according to component carrier indexes, wherein the component carrier indexes include component carrier indexes corresponding to various component carriers implementing scheduling across carrier and being scheduled across carriers. Also the present invention also provides an apparatus for detecting downlink control information, a user equipment and a network side device. The present invention solve the overlap problem of common search space and user-specific search space in Release 10 and solves the problem of determining a search space for the PDCCH in the situation of scheduling across carriers is enabled in Release 10.
US08687576B2 Dynamic bandwidth allocation control in a multi-access radio communication system
A scheduler for ranking-based scheduling of multiple users on a shared communication channel of a serving base station in a wireless communication system comprises a determiner (42), a priority ranker (44), a user selector (46) and a resource allocator (48). The determiner (42) is configured to determine, for each user of a given traffic class, measured bandwidth share ratios with respect to each of a number of other traffic classes. The priority ranker (44) is configured to determine, for each user, a priority rank based on i) achievable bit rate of the user according to reported channel quality, and ii) a quality of service component representing compliance of the measured bandwidth share ratios to corresponding target bandwidth share ratios. The user selector (46) is configured to select a subset of the users among those users having the highest priority ranks, and the resource allocator (48) is configured to allocate transmission resources of the base station to the selected subset of the users for transmission of user data on the shared communication channel.
US08687575B2 Wireless communication terminal apparatus, wireless communication base station apparatus, and cluster constellation setting method
A wireless communication terminal apparatus wherein even when a SC-FDMA signal is divided into a plurality of clusters and the plurality of clusters are then mapped to respective discontinuous frequency bands (when C-SC-FDMA is used), the improvement effect of system throughput can be maintained, while the user throughput can be improved. In the apparatus, a DFT unit (210) subjects a symbol sequence of time domain to a DFT process, thereby generating signals of frequency domain. A setting unit (211) divides the signals input from the DFT unit (210) into a plurality of clusters according to a cluster pattern that is in accordance with an MCS set, an encoding size, or the number of Ranks occurring during MIMO transmissions, which is indicated in those signals input, and then maps the plurality of clusters to the respective ones of a plurality of discontinuous frequency resources, thereby setting a constellation of the plurality of clusters in the frequency domain.
US08687570B2 Method and system for decoding control channels using repetition redundancy
Methods and systems for decoding control channels using repetition redundancy may include generating enhanced soft bits by combining soft bits generated from the two GSM SACCH blocks. Combining may comprise averaging soft bits in one GSM SACCH block and corresponding soft bits from the other GSM SACCH block. Information in one GSM SACCH block may be repeated in the other GSM SACCH block. If repetition is detected, the enhanced soft bits may comprise enhanced soft bits for at least a portion of level 1 region and level 3 region of the GSM SACCH block. Otherwise, the generated enhanced soft bits may comprise enhanced soft bits for at least a portion of level 3 region of the GSM SACCH block.
US08687569B2 Wireless communication system
A method of allocating frequency channels in a wireless communication system comprising common channel framework enabled stations, said method comprising: —using by said common channel framework enabled stations a common frequency channel at common time intervals in order to determine a communication frequency channel on which a pair of common channel framework enabled stations will be allowed to exchange data frames, —periodically changing the common frequency channel at the beginning of each common time interval.
US08687568B2 Method and apparatus for scrambling for discrimination of semi persistent scheduling grants
A method for wireless communications is provided. The method includes receiving a control payload and a check protocol on a wireless link and decoding the control payload and the check protocol. The method also includes analyzing the control payload and the check protocol in view of a scrambling protocol and determining at least one control command based on the control payload, the check protocol, and the scrambling protocol.
US08687564B2 Random access dimensioning methods and procedures for frequency division multiplexing access systems
A method of determining random access resources performed by a mobile terminal, the method comprising: receiving information on available random access resources from a network; deciding how to derive the random access resources to be allowed based on default values or information received from the network; measuring received signal quality of at least one of a cell to be accessed and a neighboring cell; and deriving the allowed random access resources based on the deciding and the measuring.
US08687562B2 Wireless network enhancements
Apparatus are provided, which include a wireless transmit interface and a wireless receive interface. A payload receive processor is provided to identify a receive overhead portion from received data received via the receive interface, and it is configured to retrieve payload data in relation to the receive overhead portion in accordance with a data structure protocol. A payload transmit processor is provided to define or modify a transmit overhead portion in transmit data to be transmitted via the transmit interface. The payload transmit processor is configured to position payload data in relation to the transmit overhead portion in accordance with a data structure protocol. A controller is provided, to determine a given wireless media location defined at least in part by the controller determining a given frequency band, from among plural frequency bands, for a given data transfer, via wireless media, between a given node and a separate node.
US08687561B2 Method and system for link adaptation using metric feedback
A method for link adaptation at a base station using metric feedback is disclosed. The method can include the steps of communicating with a mobile station over a communication link having one or more sub-channels and during the communication, receiving from the mobile station information relating to one or more mutual information per coded bit metrics for one or more candidate modulation types. The mutual information per coded bit metrics can be based on channel state knowledge of the sub-channels. Also, based on the received information, the operational performance of the mobile station can be predicted in view of one or more transmission parameters and performance factors and one or more of the transmission parameters can be selected based on a transmission condition of the communication link.
US08687559B2 Frame mapping for GERAN voice capacity enhancements
The present document relates to radio transmission. In particular, it relates to the mapping of frames in a GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN). A GERAN base station comprising a transceiver is described. The base station is operable to communicate with a first mobile station via a first VAMOS channel; to communicate with a second mobile station via a second corresponding VAMOS channel; and to use a control channel of the second VAMOS channel which is offset by 4 or 8 TDMA frames with respect to a control channel of the corresponding first VAMOS channel.
US08687555B2 Method and apparatus for performing effective feedback in wireless communication system supporting multiple antennas
A method for transmitting channel status information (CSI) of downlink multi-carrier transmission includes generating the CSI including at least one of a rank indicator (RI), a first precoding matrix index (PMI), a second PMI and a channel quality indicator (CQI) for one or more downlink carriers, the CQI being calculated based on precoding information determined by a combination of the first and second PMIs, determining, when two or more CSIs collide with one another in one uplink subframe of one uplink carrier, a CSI to be transmitted on the basis of priority, and transmitting the determined CSI over a uplink channel. If a CSI including an RI or a wideband first PMI collides with a CSI including a wideband CQI or a subband CQI, the CSI including a wideband CQI or a subband CQI has low priority and is dropped.
US08687553B2 Multi-tier wireless home mesh network with a secure network discovery protocol
An apparatus and method for a multi-tier wireless home mesh network is described. The method may include formation of an infrastructure-less wireless home mesh networking environment comprising a collection of nodes that operate as a decentralized, ad hoc wireless network with multiple sub-networks or tiers that are responsible for different functions within the network. Each node of the multi-tier network is configured to forward data to other nodes and is assigned to a particular tier based on the node's performance capabilities. A further embodiment includes identification of a wireless home mesh network. Once identified, one or more proprietary messages may be exchanged in a secure manner to establish connections with a home electronics device as either a mobile node or a stationary node of the home network. A home electronics device may wirelessly communicate to route data within one or more nodes of the wireless home mesh network. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08687552B2 Digital broadcasting system and method for transmitting and receiving digital broadcast signal
The disclosed method of processing a digital broadcast signal comprises generating one RS frame or two RS frames according to the RS frame mode, forming the data group including the mobile service data and signaling data, forming and outputting a plurality of data packets including the mobile service data in the data group, wherein the 118 data packets and K data packets are outputted for the data group, the K being scalable between 0 and 38, interleaving the mobile service data included in the plurality of data packets, wherein the data group includes a scalable data region including data included in the K data packets, wherein the scalable data region carries data included in the first RS frame when the RS frame mode is the single frame mode, or carries data included in the third RS frame when the RS frame mode is the dual frame mode.
US08687547B2 Method and system for automatic connection to a network
A processing terminal, for example a PDA or laptop, includes one or more application-layer programs and a network broker. The network broker exposes currently-available network resources, such as network access points in-range of the terminal, to the applications layer. The network broker is also arranged to automatically establish network connections via the or each network access point and to acquire operating parameters indicative of the status and/or performance of the connections. The available bandwidth of a connection is one example of an operating parameter. Data subsequently sent to, or transmitted from, the application-layer programs is communicated over a selected one or more of the established connections in accordance with predefined connection rules indicating which connection is/are to be selected in dependence on the operating parameters. Access credentials for enabling the terminal automatically to access a network via a different access point can also be provided using an existing connection.
US08687544B2 Apparatus for distributing data traffic in heterogeneous wireless networks
An apparatus for distributing data traffic in heterogeneous wireless networks is provided. A terminal for transmitting data to a plurality of wireless networks, includes a transmission rule storing unit to store a data transmission rule with respect to the plurality of wireless networks, a data dividing unit to divide first data into a plurality of first data groups based on the stored data transmission rule, a transmission network selecting unit to select an individual transmission network for each divided data group from the plurality of wireless networks based on the determined data transmission rule, and a network access unit to transmit each data group to the selected transmission network.
US08687543B2 Wireless connection selection and setup
A method for facilitating communication between a wireless client and a network is disclosed. The method comprises communicating information between the wireless client and the network prior to associating the wireless client to the network. The information can be related to setup features or services.
US08687541B2 Logical channel prioritization procedure for generating multiple uplink transport blocks
The invention relates to methods for scheduling of uplink transmission and generating transport blocks according to multiple received uplink assignments Furthermore, the invention is also related to the implementation of these methods in hardware and software. To propose strategies for generating plural transport blocks within a given time constraint, the invention introduces prioritization of the uplink assignments, so that multiple uplink assignments can be ranked in the mobile terminal in a priority order. The prioritization of the uplink assignments is used to determine the order in which the individual transport blocks corresponding to the uplink assignments are filled, respectively how the data of different logical channels is multiplexed to the transport blocks for transmission in the uplink. Another aspect of the invention is to suggest joint logical channel procedures that operate on virtual transport blocks accumulated from the received uplink assignments. One or more such joint logical channel procedure can be performed in parallel.
US08687538B2 Arrangements for controlling mobility in a network sharing environment
There is provided arrangements for controlling and supporting network sharing. A set of common system information which applies to communication networks sharing at least one shared local communication area for communicating with host network elements is prepared. A set of dedicated system information which applies to at least one of the communication networks sharing the at least one shared local communication area is prepared. The dedicated system information is addressed only to host network elements being configured to support sharing of a local communication area. System information including the set of common system information and the set of dedicated system information is transmitted. The common system information includes an information element indicating radio frequency channels used by neighboring local communication areas of the communication networks that share the at least one shared local communication area, said neighboring local communication areas neighboring the at least one shared local communication area.
US08687533B2 Energy reservation in power limited networks
Technologies are described herein for reserving energy at network nodes within a wireless network and establishing energy threshold levels within the network nodes to suspend or maintain certain operational states as supported by time varying energy levels. Energy within the network node can be reserved for processing a critical message in response to receiving a reservation request. An energy level threshold for a network node within a wireless network can be adjusted in response to receiving a reservation request. Message transmission can be enabled in response to the monitored energy level being above the energy level threshold. Message transmission may be suspended in response to the monitored energy level being below the energy level threshold.
US08687532B1 Wireless method, system and device for communicaton
A method and system for wirelessly communicating information from a bidirectional high speed data modem/router in a housing via an Ethernet connection on a first radio transceiver communicating with a second radio transceiver at a customer's premises, wherein the housing connects to a supporting strand that supports a coaxial cable carrying a RF spectrum signal and AC power signal.
US08687530B2 Stateful scheduling with network coding for roadside-to-vehicle communication
Described is a technology by which a roadside-to-vehicle communication system may be implemented, including via a stateful scheduling with network coding scheme that enhances network capacity. Moving vehicles request and receive data from a roadside access points. Each of the access points operate a stateful scheduling algorithm that serves multiple vehicles by integrating network coding within a timeslot. In one aspect, the state of each vehicle's previously received and retained data is obtained, and used to enhance network capacity by combining as many packets as possible for multiple recipients in network coding.
US08687526B2 Digital broadcast transmitter, digital broadcast receiver, and methods for configuring and processing streams thereof
A method for processing a stream of a digital broadcast transmitter, the digital broadcast transmitter, a method of processing a stream of a digital broadcast receiver, and the digital broadcast receiver are provided. The method includes: configuring a stream including a slot to which mobile data is allocated; and encoding and interleaving the configured stream and outputting the encoded and interleaved stream. Each slot of the stream includes signaling data, and the signaling data includes a slot indicator indicating a type of a slot, and may include at least one of a backward training indicator and a forward training indicator according to a value of the slot indicator. Accordingly, information on an adjacent slot is efficiently used.
US08687525B2 Co-channel communication methods, systems, and devices
Co-channel communications methods, systems, and devices are provided. Embodiments can be utilized to allow multiple users on one time slot (MUROS). For example, a method for wireless communication by a first remote station can comprise receiving a first co-channel signal that has a first amplitude and a second co-channel signal that has a second amplitude, wherein a difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude is less than a threshold; selecting one of the first co-channel signal and the second co-channel signal; and demodulating the selected co-channel signal. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
US08687521B1 Avoiding mesh path discovery in wireless mesh networks
A network interface of a first mesh point device, the network interface including a memory and a medium access controller. In response to the first mesh point device receiving a frame, the medium access controller determines whether a mesh path for routing the frame from the first mesh point device to a second mesh point device is stored in the memory. In response to a mesh path not being stored in the memory, and prior to performing a mesh path discovery protocol, the medium access controller (i) determines whether the second mesh point device is one hop from the first mesh point device, and if so selects a one hop path for routing the frame to the second mesh point device, otherwise (ii) uses the mesh path discovery protocol to determine a mesh path for routing the frame to the second mesh point device.
US08687520B2 Cluster coupler unit and method for synchronizing a plurality of clusters in a time-triggered network
The invention relates to a time triggered network used in particular in an automotive network having a plurality of clusters. Each cluster (A-X) includes a plurality of nodes (11). For saving time during startup a cluster coupler unit (10) in a time triggered network is proposed, wherein the network comprises a plurality of communication clusters (A-X) each having a plurality of nodes (11), the communication clusters (A-X) are compatible to each another in cycle length, slot length and frame length, wherein a cluster coupler unit (10) being connected to at least two communication clusters (A-X), the cluster coupler unit (10) includes as many protocol engines (12) as communication clusters are connected, each protocol engine (12) having at least one receiving input (RXD) and one transmitting output (TXD), wherein a synchronization logic (20) is connected to at least one of the receiving inputs (RXD) and/or the transmitting outputs (TXD) of the protocol engines (12), wherein the synchronization logic (20) distributes information from incoming/outgoing signals, which is used for synchronizing the connected communication clusters (A-X) during startup.
US08687518B1 Automatic address configuration in a network test system
A method for managing virtual device addresses and an address manager for a network test system comprising a plurality of ports including a first port. A respective plurality of virtual devices to be emulated by each of the plurality of ports may be defined, each plurality of virtual devices including a respective first virtual device. Addresses may be automatically assigning to each of the virtual devices in accordance with a start value, an intraport pattern, and an interport pattern.
US08687513B2 System and method for auditing route parameters in a network
A method includes collecting route parameters from a first intermediate node and a second intermediate node that can be configured to communicatively couple a source node to the destination node, determining at least a first route through the first intermediate node and a second route through the second intermediate node, and determining which route among the first route and the second route is optimal according to one or more criteria.
US08687505B2 Apparatus and method for controlling traffic
A traffic control apparatus is provided which includes an interface connector to transmit/receive an Internet Protocol (IP) packet to/from an external circuit, a frame generator to receive the IP packet through the interface connector and to generate a Media Access Control (MAC) frame, and a network processor to transmit/receive the IP packet to/from the frame generator, to execute at least one programmable application, and to identify and classify the at least one programmable application.
US08687504B2 System and method for enhancement of Ethernet link loss forwarding
A system and method provide enhanced link loss forwarding in an Ethernet system to determine link degradation and to selectively block and re-establish transport between a near end device and far end device based on a SONET connection between end devices and link status detection using local packets. When an excessive number of errors are detected in an Ethernet port, a device enters a Links Off mode from a Transport mode where Ethernet ports are turned off at both ends of a circuit associated with the errors. A Block Transport mode is then entered where local packets (e.g., OAM packets) are monitored to evaluate link quality (e.g., SONET bit error rate). Transport mode is re-established when acceptable link quality is achieved for a selected period of time.
US08687502B2 Method and apparatus for enabling auto-ticketing for endpoint devices
A method and system for transmitting data corresponding to at least one endpoint device problem in a packet communications network is described. Specifically, an endpoint device detects at least one problem that pertains to the endpoint device. The endpoint device then generates data pertaining to the endpoint device problem. Lastly, the endpoint device then transmits the data detailing that endpoint device problem to the packet communications network.
US08687501B1 Automatic detection and configuration of Ethernet OAM protocols
The disclosure teaches a method of implementing a system that dynamically learns and applies local configuration for Ethernet OAM. The disclosed system eliminates complexity inherent with standards based Ethernet OAM, therefore reducing errors and enhancing the overall usability of the Ethernet OAM infrastructure.
US08687500B2 UPD-based soft phone state monitoring for CTI applications
A supervisor computer directly communicates, via User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets, with a call control application software in a soft phone. The UDP packets provide real-time information, from a desktop of the soft phone, describing call activity and usage status of the soft phone. The supervisor computer is able to remotely control usage of the soft phone according to information provided by the UDP packets.
US08687499B2 Path selection for a wireless system with relays
A method selects a path for forwarding a data packet in a wireless communication system. A system capacity versus delay impact curve is calculated for a direct path to mobile station. The direct path has a capacity cost based on communication quality of a direct link between a base station and the mobile station. This curve is shifted by a predetermined time corresponding to an additional delay over a relay path to produce a projected capacity curve for the relay path having a second capacity cost determined according to a combined measure of signal quality of multiple links in the relay path. The second capacity cost is multiplied by a capacity cost ratio to produce a relay capacity curve. The direct path or the relay path is selected based on a comparison of the system capacity versus delay impact curve and the relay capacity curve according to a QoS requirement.
US08687497B2 Reduced memory vectored DSL
A reduced-memory vectored DSL system includes methods and apparatus for reducing the bandwidth and memory storage demands on a vectored DSL system in which FEXT data is transmitted and stored. An upstream-end device such as a DSLAM communicates with a plurality of downstream-end devices such as CPE modems. When test signal data, such as training and/or tracking data, is sent to determine FEXT characteristics of the DSL system, error signals are available for all or substantially all of the upstream and/or downstream frequency band DSL tones used in the system. Dividing a frequency band into sub-bands, only a subset of tones in each sub-band is used for deriving FEXT data, such as a FEXT channel response, FEXT channel coefficients and/or FEXT cancellation coefficients. For tones in the sub-band subsets, full-precision FEXT data values can be derived. For other tones, approximations of the FEXT data can be derived.
US08687493B2 Method and system for inroute bandwidth allocation supporting multiple traffic priorities in a satellite network
A method for inroute bandwidth allocation supporting multiple traffic priorities in a satellite network including generating a backlog report, transmitting the backlog report to an inroute group manager, receiving a bandwidth allocation from the inroute group manager, and servicing priority queues and transmitting data to a satellite based on the bandwidth allocation from the inroute group manager.
US08687487B2 Method and system for communication between nodes
A method of communicating with a network interface includes providing a packet to the network interface, where the packet includes an address field indicating a destination of the packet. The network interface analyzes the address field, and determines if it reflects an address associated with the network interface. If not, the network interface provides the packet to a network. If the network interface determines the address field reflects an address associated with the interface, it provides information in the packet to an application executing at the network interface. Accordingly, information targeted to an application can be communicated by associating an address, such as a network address, with the network interface, allowing for communication of the information without extensive processing of each packet at the interface.
US08687483B2 Parallel traffic generator with priority flow control
An apparatus to generate test traffic for testing a network. A scheduler may provide packet definition data for a sequence of packets, each packet associated with a respective flow control group. A channelized schedule FIFO (first-in first-out) queue may store the packet definition data. The channelized schedule FIFO queue may include multiple parallel channels, each channel dedicated to storing packet definition data associated with a corresponding flow control group. A plurality of non-channelized packet builder lanes may build packets in accordance with packet definition data read from the channelized schedule FIFO. A channelized output FIFO buffer may store packets built by the plurality of packet builder lanes. The channelized output FIFO buffer may include multiple parallel channels, each channel dedicated to storing packets associated with a corresponding flow control group. An output multiplexor may interleave packets from the channelized output FIFO buffer to form the test traffic.
US08687481B2 Communication system, management apparatus, communication apparatus and computer program
In a ring type network, a master node sends a measurement packet to a slave node in the backward direction and the forward direction, receives the measurement packet which has been circulated among a plurality of slave nodes, stores a received time of the backward direction measurement packet and a sending time of the forward direction measurement packet according to time-keeping of an internal clock, sends a measurement result notifying packet showing a sending time and a received time of the measurement packet to the slave node; each slave node receives the backward direction measurement packet and the forward direction measurement packet, sends the received measurement packet to the next node, stores the received time of the backward direction measurement packet and the sending time of the forward direction measurement packet according to the time-keeping of the internal clock, receives a measurement result notifying packet, calculates a time correction value using the sending time and the received time of the measurement packet shown in the measurement result notifying packet and the sending time and the received time of the measurement packet stored, and corrects a time of the internal clock using the calculated time correction value.
US08687477B2 Disk-shaped recording medium, optical spot position control device, and optical spot position control method
In a case of performing recording/playing with an information recording layer with a first light irradiation, and controlling the recording/playing positions on the information recording layer by a second light irradiating as to a position control information recording layer provided separately from the information recording layer, corrections to shifts in recording positions and playing positions that occurs as a result of shifts in the optical axes of the first and second lights.A disc-shaped recording medium has multiple pit row phases wherein, the pit rows having a spacing between one round of pit formable positions that is limited to a predetermined first spacing are formed in a spiral shape or concentrically, and with pit rows arrayed in the radius direction, the spacing in the pit row forming direction of the pit formable positions is set to positions shifted by a predetermined second spacing. Therefore multiple pit rows can be arrayed in within the width of one conventional track, and a tracking servo can be used for the selected pit rows in accordance with the correction amount of the playing position, in which case corrections can be made with high precision that is narrower than one track width.
US08687474B2 Recording apparatus and method
A recording apparatus characterized in that comprising a firmware configured to execute the following operation: performing a recording operation onto a rewritable optical recording medium with a recording speed selected from one of a plurality of recording speeds for an one-time optical recording medium; wherein the recording layer of the rewritable optical recording medium comprises at least four elements from Ge, In, Sb, Te, and Sn, wherein the component proportion of Sb/Te is ranged from 3 to 8, and the thickness of the recording layer is ranged from 3 nm to 25 nm.
US08687470B2 Optical disk playback device with three-dimensional playback functionality
An optical disk playback device comprises one or more lasers, an optical assembly, an optical detector, and controller circuitry coupled to the optical detector. The optical assembly is configured to direct incident light from the one or more lasers so as to form first and second scanning spots on a surface of an optical disk, and is further configured to direct corresponding reflected light from the first and second scanning spots on the surface of the optical disk to the optical detector. The optical detector is configured to process the reflected light from the first and second scanning spots to generate respective first and second data streams, and the controller circuitry is configured to generate a three-dimensional image signal from the first and second data streams.
US08687465B2 Methods and systems for seismic signal detection
Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. An electrical current is applied to a seismic sensor such that the moving coil is located at a neutral position relative to the magnetic field in the seismic sensor to compensate for gravitational acceleration.
US08687464B2 Marine siren seismic source
A very low frequency marine seismic source has a reservoir of water (47) feeding water to an aperture communicating with the surrounding water (13). The rate of water flow through the aperture is controlled by a rotor disc (11) and stator disc (9) having holes which overlap to a greater or lesser extent as the rotor rotates. The modulation of the flow of water produces a modulated pressure signal which is radiated into the surrounding water. The device is intended to produce acoustic signals over a band extending down to 0.5 Hz or lower.
US08687461B2 Marine seismic source handling system
A method, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, includes positioning an elevated handling beam in a slip of a marine vessel, the handling beam extending from an inboard position to a outboard positioned proximate to an open slipway; and moveably positioning a handling winch on the handling beam, the handling winch capable of selectively connecting with a gun assembly and moving the gun assembly vertically and laterally relative to the handling beam.
US08687460B2 Methods and apparatus of source control for synchronized firing of air gun arrays with receivers in a well bore in borehole seismic
Methods and apparatus for generating borehole seismic surveys are disclosed. The methods and apparatus enable more accurate surveys than previous surveying systems. In some embodiments, firing of remote seismic sources is synchronized with data recording in a borehole. In some embodiments, the synchronization is based on a universal time standard. In some embodiments, GPS positioning technology is used to predict firing times and synchronize firing times with downhole and surface recording.
US08687459B2 Synchronous command-based write recovery time auto-precharge control
Methods of operating a memory device and memory devices are provided. For example, a method of operating a memory array is provided that includes a synchronous path and an asynchronous path. A Write-with-Autoprecharge signal is provided to the synchronous path, and various bank address signals are provided to the asynchronous path. In another embodiment, the initiation of the bank address signals may be provided asynchronously to the assertion of the Write-with-Autoprecharge signal.
US08687458B2 Semiconductor apparatus for reducing cross talk and semiconductor system using the same
A semiconductor apparatus includes an odd data clock buffer group configured to maintain or shift a phase of a multi-phase source clock signal, and output a first multi-phase clock signal, an even data clock buffer group configured to maintain or shift a phase of the multi-phase source clock signal, and output a second multi-phase clock signal, an odd data output buffer group configured to drive odd data in response to the first multi-phase clock signal and output the driven data to an odd data pad group, and an even data output buffer group configured to drive even data in response to the second multi-phase clock signal and output the driven data to an even data pad group, wherein the phases of clock signals of the first and second multi-phase clock signal are different from each other.
US08687457B2 Semiconductor memory device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a system clock input block configured to be inputted with a system clock, a data clock input block configured to be inputted with a data clock, a first phase detection block configured to compare a phase of the system clock, generate a first phase detection signal, and determine a logic level of a reverse control signal in response to the first phase detection signal, a second phase detection block configured to compare a phase of a clock acquired by delaying the system clock by a correction time, generate a second phase detection signal, and determine a logic level of a clock select signal in response to the first and second phase detection signals, and a clock select block configured to select and output the data clock or a clock acquired by delaying the data clock.
US08687454B2 Semiconductor storage apparatus and semiconductor integrated circuit
In a semiconductor storage apparatus, an internal address generation unit generates, when receiving successive first and second external addresses, from the second external address an internal address for selecting any of the memory cells connected to bit lines and word lines except the bit line and word line connected to a memory cell to be selected according to the first external address. When receiving the successive external addresses, a memory cell connected to the same bit line and word line is not continuously selected, and erroneous readout due to rewriting of a value of the memory cell in a non-selected state is suppressed.
US08687451B2 Power management in semiconductor memory system
A method for operating a memory module device. The method can include transferring a chip select, command, and address information from a host memory controller. The host memory controller can be coupled to a memory interface device, which can be coupled to a memory module. The memory module can comprise a plurality of memory devices. The chip select, command and address information can be received at the memory interface using a command-and-address-latency (CAL) mode. Control logic can be used to initiate a power state transition from a first power state to a second power state of an input termination circuit in the memory interface device.
US08687450B2 Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device which performs a refresh operation by sequentially counting a refresh address including a main word line address, a mat address, and a sub word line address in order of the main word line address, the mat address, and the sub word line address. The semiconductor device includes a control signal generation unit configured to activate, latch, and output a toggle control signal when a delayed refresh signal is inputted at the initial stage, deactivate and output the toggle control signal after additionally counting a redundancy word line address when counting of the main word line address with respect to the mat address is completed, and then activate, latch, and output the toggle control signal when the delayed refresh signal is inputted.
US08687449B2 Semiconductor device and information processing system including the same
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes plural core chips CC0 to CC7 to which mutually different pieces of chip identification information LID are allocated, and an interface chip IF that controls the core chips CC0 to CC7. The interface chip IF receives address information ADD for specifying a memory cell, and supplies in common a part of the address information to the core chips CC0 to CC7 as chip selection information SEL to be compared with the chip identification information LID. With this configuration, it appears from a controller that an address space is simply enlarged. Therefore, an interface that is same as that for a conventional semiconductor memory device can be used.
US08687446B2 Semiconductor device with self refresh test mode
A semiconductor device includes a memory array that has dynamic memory cells. In a self refresh test mode, a self refresh test mode controller monitors and/or controls various blocks and internal signals in the semiconductor device. The self refresh test mode controller may communicate with a remote testing device through various conductors including one or more DQ lines and/or one or more address lines.
US08687445B2 Self-repair integrated circuit and repair method
A method for repairing degraded field effect transistors includes forward biasing PN junctions of one of a source and a drain of a field effect transistor (FET), and a body of the FET. Charge is injected from a substrate to a gate region to neutralize charge in the gate region. The method is applicable to CMOS devices. Repair circuits are disclosed for implementing the repairs.
US08687441B2 Method for searching optimum value of memory
A method for searching an optimum value of a memory includes the following steps. A first and a second phase delay values of the memory are sequentially set to a plurality of first values and a plurality of second values respectively. amounts of combinations of the first values combining with the second values passing a reading and writing test is recorded. A portion of the first values that the amounts of the corresponding combinations passing the reading and writing test is greater than a threshold is selected. A first value near a median of the selected first values is selected as a first optimum value for setting the first phase delay value. A portion of second values passing the reading and writing test is recorded. A second value near a median of the recording second values is selected as a second optimum value for setting the second phase delay value.
US08687440B2 Semiconductor memory device
At a succeeding stage of a sense amplifier, a first data latch is provided which has the same bit number as the page length and is controlled to invariably hold the same data as that of the sense amplifier. When a column address strobe (CAS) access begins, data is transferred from the first data latch to an error checking and correcting circuit, and error correction and parity generation are performed in a pipeline process. As a result, the CAS access time and the CAS cycle time are reduced.
US08687437B2 Write assist circuitry
A circuit includes a word line driver for driving a world line and a tracking word line driver for driving a tracking word line. The pulse width of a world line signal on the world line is driven to be larger than that of a tracking world line signal on the tracking world line to assist writing under difficult conditions. Because the tracking word line signal is activated later than the word line signal being activated but is deactivated at the same time with the word line, the pulse width of the word line signal is larger.
US08687436B2 Increasing efficiency of memory accesses by selectively introducing a relative delay between the time that write addresses are provided to the memory and the time that write data is provided to the memory
Systems and methods for reducing delays between successive write and read accesses in multi-bank memory devices are provided. Computer circuits modify the relative timing between addresses and data of write accesses, reducing delays between successive write and read accesses. Memory devices that interface with these computer circuits use posted write accesses to effectively return the modified relative timing to its original timing before processing the write access.
US08687433B2 Memory control circuit and memory circuit
A memory circuit includes a plurality of divided memory cell blocks, a write circuit and a read circuit which connect via a pair of bit lines to each of the divided memory cell blocks. The output of write data to one of the bit line of the write circuit is made to be performed by one system. It is possible to achieve an increase of speed by bit lien division while reducing increase in the memory circuit area accompanying the bit line division.
US08687421B2 Scrub techniques for use with dynamic read
The decision on whether to refresh or retire a memory block is based on the set of dynamic read values being used. In a memory system using a table of dynamic read values, the table is configured to include how to handle read error (retire, refresh) in addition to the read parameters for the different dynamic read cases. In a refinement, the read case number can used to prioritize blocks selected for refresh or retire. In cases where the read scrub is to be made more precise, multiple dynamic read cases can be applied. Further, which cases are applied can be intelligently selected.
US08687417B2 Electronic device and method of biasing
A first bias charge is provided to first bias region at a first level of an electronic device, the first bias region directly underlying a first transistor having a channel region at a second level that is electrically isolated from the first bias region. A voltage threshold of the first transistor is based upon the first bias charge. A second bias charge is provided to second bias region at the first level of an electronic device, the second bias region directly underlying a second transistor having a channel region at a second level that is electrically isolated from the first bias region. A voltage threshold of the second transistor is based upon the second bias charge.
US08687413B2 Magnetic memory with phonon glass electron crystal material
A magnetic memory unit includes a tunneling barrier separating a free magnetic element and a reference magnetic element. A first phonon glass electron crystal layer is disposed on a side opposing the tunneling barrier of either the free magnetic element or the reference magnetic element. A second phonon glass electron crystal layer also be disposed on a side opposing the tunneling barrier of either the free magnetic element or the reference magnetic element to provide a Peltier effect on the free magnetic element and the reference magnetic element.
US08687412B2 Reference cell configuration for sensing resistance states of MRAM bit cells
A reference circuit discerns high or low resistance states of a magneto-resistive memory element such as a bit cell. The reference circuit has magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) elements in complementary high and low resistance states RH and RL, providing a voltage, current or other parameter for comparison against the memory element to discern a resistance state. The parameter represents an intermediate resistance straddled by RH and RL, such as an average or twice-parallel resistance. The reference MTJ elements are biased from the same read current source as the memory element but their magnetic layers are in opposite order, physically or by order along bias current paths. The reference MTJ elements are biased to preclude any read disturb risk. The memory bit cell is coupled to the same bias polarity source along a comparable path, being safe from read disturb risk in one of its two possible logic states.
US08687407B2 Semiconductor device including storage device and method for driving the same
A structure of a storage device which can operate memory elements utilizing silicide reaction using the same voltage value for writing and for reading, and a method for driving the same are proposed. The present invention relates to a storage device including a memory element and a circuit which changes a polarity of applying voltage to the memory element for writing (or reading) into a different polarity of that for reading (or writing). The memory element includes at least a first conductive layer, a film including silicon formed over the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer formed over the silicon film. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer of the memory element are formed using different materials.
US08687402B2 Silicon-based nanoscale resistive device with adjustable resistance
A non-volatile solid state resistive device that includes a first electrode, a p-type poly-silicon second electrode, and a non-crystalline silicon nanostructure electrically connected between the electrodes. The nanostructure has a resistance that is adjustable in response to a voltage being applied to the nanostructure via the electrodes. The nanostructure can be formed as a nanopillar embedded in an insulating layer located between the electrodes. The first electrode can be a silver or other electrically conductive metal electrode. A third (metal) electrode can be connected to the p-type poly-silicon second electrode at a location adjacent the nanostructure to permit connection of the two metal electrodes to other circuitry. The resistive device can be used as a unit memory cell of a digital non-volatile memory device to store one or more bits of digital data by varying its resistance between two or more values.
US08687400B2 Semiconductor memory device having a plurality of chips and capability of outputting a busy signal
One package contains a plurality of memory chips. Each memory chip has an I/O terminal which generates a busy signal. The busy signal enables a busy state when a power supply voltage value reaches a specified and guaranteed range after a power-on sequence. The busy signal maintains the busy state until completion of initialization operations for the plurality of memory chips. The busy signal releases the busy state after completion of all initialization operations for the plurality of memory chips.
US08687397B2 Method for operating a direct converter circuit and device to carry out the method
A method and device for operating a direct converter circuit are provided. A control signal controls power semiconductor switches of switching cells of the associated phase module. The control signal is formed, for each phase module, from the difference between a reference signal relating to the voltage over the phase module and a voltage signal over the inductor. The voltage signal over the inductor is formed from a reference signal relating to the current through the corresponding phase module. The reference signal relating to the current through the phase module is formed from a respective mean value or instantaneous value of a phase power of a phase of the first and second current or voltage systems connected to the phase module and from respective sums of the instantaneous values or the mean values of the phase powers of the phases of the first and second current or voltage systems, respectively.
US08687394B2 Aircraft power supply and method of operating the same
An aircraft power supply for providing DC power with improved power quality characteristics. The aircraft power supply includes a transformer control system that can use closed-loop feedback from a DC power output to control switches that can short primary windings turns of a step-down transformer. By shorting turns in the primary, the transformer control system can control or manipulate the turns ratio in the transformer and compensate for decreases in the DC power output.
US08687391B2 Converter system and method for the operation of such a converter
A converter system is provided for the switching of at least three voltage levels and for the switching of two voltage levels. A method is also provided for the operation of a converter system for the switching of at least three voltage levels and for the operation of a converter system for the switching of two voltage levels.
US08687390B2 Active clamp DC-DC converter
An active clamp DC-DC converter includes a transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a main switching device connected in series to the primary coil of the transformer so that the main switching device and the primary coil are connected in parallel to a DC power source, a reset capacitor, a reset switching device connected in series to the reset capacitor so that the reset switching device and the reset capacitor are connected in parallel to the primary coil of the transformer, a rectifying circuit connected to the secondary coil of the transformer, a smoothing circuit connected to the rectifying circuit, and a control circuit adjusting a dead time that elapses from the time when the reset switching device is turned off until the time when the main switching device is turned on, based on a voltage across the main switching device.
US08687380B2 Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A wiring board including a first rigid wiring board including a conductor and having an accommodation portion, the accommodation portion having wall surfaces, a second rigid wiring board accommodated in the accommodation portion and including a conductor electrically connected to the conductor of the first rigid wiring board, the second rigid wiring board having side surfaces, an insulation layer formed on the first rigid wiring board and the second rigid wiring board, and a metal film having a solid pattern formed directly on a boundary portion formed between the wall surfaces of the accommodation portion and the side surfaces of the second rigid wiring board.
US08687376B2 Rotating and moving mechanism
An apparatus includes a first body part comprising a first user interface and a second body part comprising a second user interface. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism configured to rotate the first body part with respect to the second body part over a pivot axis, and move the first body part with respect to the second body part substantially parallel to the pivot axis.
US08687371B2 Tamper respondent module
A tamper respondent module includes a basecard adapted to be inserted into a slot in a rack enclosure comprising at least one guide edge, at least one electrical coupler, a surface and at least one electronic component that contains information in an electronic format. In one example, an outer cover is coupled to the basecard and includes at least five sides. The outer cover is arranged in a covering relationship over the at least one electronic component. In another example, an anti-tamper apparatus is disposed between the outer cover and the surface. In another example, an anti-tamper circuit is electrically coupled to the at least one electronic component. In another example, a thermal frame is thermally coupled to the at least one electronic component.
US08687370B2 Housing for a chip arrangement and a method for forming a housing
A housing for a chip arrangement is provided, the housing including: a carrier including a first carrier side configured to receive a chip arrangement, a second carrier side and one or more through-holes extending from the first carrier side to the second carrier side; at least one electrical connector inserted through a through-hole, the at least one electrical connector arranged to extend from the second carrier side to the first carrier side; wherein the at least one electrical connector may include: a first portion on the first carrier side; a second portion on the first carrier side, wherein the first portion is configured to extend away from the first carrier side at an angle to the second portion; and a third portion on the second carrier side, wherein the third portion is configured to extend away from the second carrier side at an angle to the second portion.
US08687366B2 Apparatus for supplying voltage to a motor vehicle having optimized heat dissipation
A voltage supply apparatus for a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, truck or a motorcycle, includes a storage cell arrangement having one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are mounted on top of each other. The storage cell arrangement is releasably connected in a form-fitting way to a heat-conducting cooling device that removes heat from the storage cells and/or double layer capacitors such that at least some of the storage cells and/or double layer capacitors of a respective storage cell group can each be thermally connected with the heat-conducting cooling device.
US08687365B2 Electronic device, rack system having the same, and method for notifying abnormality
An electronic device including a fan unit capable of setting an air blowing direction toward any of an interface plate side of a casing and a back plate side opposite to the interface plate; a power supply unit; a first housing portion capable of housing the power supply unit and provided within the casing to be close to the back plate; a second housing portion capable of housing the power supply unit and provided within the casing to be close to the interface plate; a detection portion that detects the air blowing direction of the fan unit and a position where the power supply unit is housed; and a warning portion that operates based on the detection portion to give a warning in a case where the air blowing direction of the fan unit is different from the side where the casing houses the power supply unit.
US08687364B2 Directly connected heat exchanger tube section and coolant-cooled structure
A cooling apparatus for an electronics rack is provided which includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, one or more coolant-cooled structures and a tube. The heat exchanger, which is associated with the electronics rack and disposed to cool air passing through the rack, includes a plurality of distinct, coolant-carrying tube sections, each tube section having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, one of which is coupled in fluid communication with a coolant loop to facilitate flow of coolant through the tube section. The coolant-cooled structure(s) is in thermal contact with an electronic component(s) of the rack, and facilitates transfer of heat from the component(s) to the coolant. The tube connects in fluid communication one coolant-cooled structure and the other of the coolant inlet or outlet of the one tube section, and facilitates flow of coolant directly between that coolant-carrying tube section of the heat exchanger and the coolant-cooled structure.
US08687363B2 Enclosure with duct mounted electronic components
The present application provides for an enclosure for mounting electrical components therein. The enclosure may include a base, a roof, a number of side walls, and one or more support ducts extending from the base to the roof. The supports ducts may include an air channel therein extending from the base to the roof.
US08687361B2 Clamshell portable electronic device with input device in hinge
A portable electronic device, including a first portion, a second portion hingedly coupled to the first portion so that the first and second portions are movable between an open position and a closed position, and a hinge member coupled to the first portion and second portion adjacent the hinged end of the first and second portions. The hinge member includes at least one input device therein.
US08687360B2 Convertible PC having a waterproofing structure
An electronic apparatus includes a lower housing, a folding linkage, an upper housing, and a gasket. The lower housing may contain a keyboard. The folding linkage assembly may be adapted to connect to the lower housing at the second end and to the upper housing at the first end. The upper housing may contain a screen. The upper housing may be operably mounted to and pivotable with respect to the folding linkage. The gasket may be used to effect a seal between the lower housing and the upper housing.
US08687359B2 Portable computer unified top case
A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.
US08687357B2 Electric power converter
An electric power converter includes a cooler and an electronic circuit. The cooler includes a heat sink, a cooling fan, and a wind tunnel. A plurality of radiator fins are provided on a heat-sink base in the heat sink. The cooling fan is configured to feed cooling air through the plurality of radiator fins. The wind tunnel covers the plurality of radiator fins and the cooling fan. The electronic circuit includes a plurality of rectifiers and a plurality of input terminals. The plurality of rectifiers are provided on a side of the heat-sink base opposite to the plurality of radiator fins and are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the heat-sink base. The plurality of input terminals are connected to the plurality of rectifiers with band-shaped conductors and are provided on a side of the plurality of rectifiers opposite to the heat sink.
US08687355B2 Slide and rotation module for executable multiple operation mode electronic device
The present invention discloses a slide and rotation module for an executable multiple operation mode electronic device, providing a structure with inclination-adjustable, movable, rotational and bidirectional folding functions. The slide and rotation module includes a steering arm and a slide seat disposed between the first machine body and the second machine body. The steering arm includes a first end pivoted to a first machine body and a second end pivoted to a second machine body, in which the second end of the steering arm is rotated and translated within a limiting part in response to a motion of the first machine body.
US08687352B2 Video display device, and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a video display device includes a housing, a display device, a rotating support portion, and a support portion. The housing includes a first wall with a first opening and a second wall located opposite the first wall. The display device is housed in the housing and includes a display screen exposed from the first opening. The rotating support portion rotatably supports the display device. The support portion includes a first end to be placed, a second end located opposite the first end and connected to the rotating support portion, a linking portion extending between a first position close to the first wall and a second position close to the second wall, and a second opening between the first end and the second end. The support portion supports the rotating support portion to be apart from a plane where the video display device is placed.
US08687350B2 Motherboard and case with hidden internal connectors
The disclosed technology describes a motherboard with an arrangement of components that is aesthetically pleasing and enables ease of servicing. Inner components, such as add-on cards, memory slots and the CPU on the motherboard, are easily accessible through a removable side of the computer case. The cable connectors on the motherboard for internal components are hidden from view when the removable side of the computer case is opened or cannot be seen if the removable side of the computer case is translucent. As such, at least a portion of cables which connect between the motherboard and other devices, such as disk drives, the power supply and LED (Light Emitting Diodes) is at least partially, mostly or fully hidden from view when the removable portion of the case is removed. Further when servicing the computer, the cables are out of the way of the various microchips and add-on cards which connect to the motherboard. Thus, the appearance of the computer case and motherboard of the disclosed technology is visually attractive and the unit is overall easier to service than those available in the prior art.
US08687348B2 Integrated safety disconnects for power systems
Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety disconnect system includes an enclosure operative to receive a plurality of input power lines into the enclosure and provide a plurality of output power lines out of the enclosure. Each input power line is coupled to and paired with a corresponding one of the output power lines, where each input power line and output power line is operative to provide power from a power source. A plurality of switches are provided in the enclosure, each of these switches coupled between an associated one of the pairs of input power line and output power line, and each switch operative to disconnect the associated input power line from the corresponding output power line.
US08687347B2 Planar anode for use in a wet electrolytic capacitor
A relatively thin planar anode for use in a wet electrolytic capacitor is provided. Through a combination of specific materials and processing techniques, the present inventors have surprisingly discovered that the resulting anode may possess a high volumetric efficiency, yet still be able to operate at a high voltage and capacitance, resulting in a capacitor with a high energy density. The anode is a pressed pellet formed from an electrically conductive powder that contains a plurality of particles (including agglomerates thereof) having a flake-like morphology. The present inventors have discovered that such a morphology can optimize packing density, which reduces the thickness of the anode and improves volumetric efficiency. Such particles can provide a short transmission line between the outer surface and interior of the anode and a highly continuous and dense wire-to-anode connection with high conductivity. The particles may also increase the breakdown voltage and help lower ESR.
US08687346B2 Multi-layered electrode for ultracapacitors
A multi-layer electrode includes a current collector having opposing first and second major surfaces, a fused carbon layer formed over one or both of the major surfaces, a conductive adhesion layer formed over each fused carbon layer, and an activated carbon layer formed over each conductive adhesive layer. The multi-layer electrode can be incorporated into a high energy density, high power density device such as an electric double layer capacitor.
US08687344B2 Laminated ceramic electronic component
A laminated ceramic electronic component includes curved surface portions provided in an outer surface of a ceramic element assembly, and internal conductors provided within the ceramic element assembly that are exposed in the curved surface portions and principal surfaces to define starting points for plating deposition. A base layer, in an external conductor, which is defined by a plating film is arranged so as to directly cover the exposed portions of the internal conductors.
US08687343B2 Substrate mounting table of substrate processing apparatus
A substrate mounting table of a substrate processing apparatus includes a base portion and a circular plate-shaped electrostatic chuck adhered to an upper surface of the base portion by an adhesive layer. The electrostatic chuck has a circular attracting surface to support a substrate. The substrate mounting table further includes an annular focus ring arranged around the electrostatic chuck to surround the substrate and to cover an outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the base portion. The electrostatic chuck has a two-layer structure including an upper circular part and a lower circular part having a diameter larger than that of the upper circular part. An outer peripheral portion of the lower circular part and an outer peripheral portion of the adhesive layer adhering the lower circular part to the base portion are covered with the focus ring.
US08687338B2 Systems and methods for enhanced protection systems for storage batteries
A highly reliable protection element for a storage battery is provided. A protection element includes a low melting point metal body and heater elements. The low melting point metal body is connected to a charger side line and a storage battery side line of a charge/discharge circuit. The heater element is connected to the storage battery side line and a switch, and the heater element is connected to the charger side line and a switch. When the switches are operated, a voltage that is not affected by a voltage drop of the low melting point metal body is applied to one of the heater elements, so that the low melting point metal body can be reliably fused.
US08687335B2 Electronic circuit breaker of a power supply having dual output ports
An electronic circuit breaker of a power having dual output ports has an input port, two output ports, two field effect transistors, two current detection circuits and two control circuits. The control circuit has a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and an activation circuit detecting if a short circuit is present at one of the output ports through one of the current detection circuits, activating the SCR to turn off a corresponding FET after the occurrence of the short circuit, and disconnecting a corresponding output port from the input port. Due to the characteristics of the SCR, the SCR, once activated, stays in an on state between its anode and cathode. After the current of the output returns to its normal state, the FET is still turned off. Accordingly, high-frequency large current arising from alternately switching between the on and off states of the FET can be avoided.
US08687328B2 Photovoltaic inverter with control for performing low voltage ride through
A photovoltaic inverter for coupling a direct current photovoltaic source to an alternating current energy grid and performing a low voltage ride through. The inverter includes a power bridge to convert direct current voltage to alternating current voltage. A switching crowbar is coupled to the photovoltaic energy source and the power bridge. The crowbar has a switching device having a closed position causing the switching crowbar to dissipate energy from the photovoltaic energy source and an open position to allow direct output from the photovoltaic source to the power bridge. A voltage sensor detects a low voltage condition on the grid. A controller is coupled to the voltage sensor and controls the switching crowbar when a low voltage condition is detected. The switching device is placed in the closed position when the voltage from the photovoltaic energy source is higher than a predetermined threshold voltage and the switching device being placed in the open position when the voltage of the photovoltaic source reaches the voltage when the low voltage condition is detected.
US08687324B2 Tape drive head with jointly optimized shield-to-shield gap and sensor width
A tape drive head includes a set of one or more servo readers designed for reading a servo pattern of a linear recording tape for positioning of the tape drive head, each of the servo readers of the set having: a sensor for sensing a magnetic field component of a servo pattern upon reading it; a first shield and a second shield, one on each side of the sensor, the shields configured to shield spurious components of magnetic fields occurring upon reading the linear recording tape, wherein: a gap between the first shield and the second shield is between 0.4 μm and 1 μm, and a minimal width of the sensor, the first shield and the second shield, in a direction perpendicular to the gap, is between 0.5 μm and 4 μm.
US08687323B2 Magnetic media disk anticorrosion overcoat with titanium and silicon based layers
A magnetic media disk has a substrate; a recording magnetic media on the substrate; and an overcoat on the recording magnetic media, the overcoat comprising a Si-based layer on the recording magnetic media, and a Ti-based layer on the Si-based layer. The magnetic media disk may be rotatably mounted to an enclosure in a hard disk drive.
US08687321B2 Magnetic head assembly
A magnetic head assembly includes: a magnetic recording head, a head slider, a suspension and an actuator arm. The magnetic recording head includes a spin torque oscillator and a main magnetic pole. The spin torque oscillator includes, a first magnetic layer including at least one selected from the group consisting of a Fe—Co—Al alloy, a Fe—Co—Si alloy, a Fe—Co—Ge alloy, a Fe—Co—Mn alloy a Fe—Co—Cr alloy and a Fe—Co—B alloy, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The main magnetic pole is placed together with the spin torque oscillator. The magnetic recording head is mounted on the head slider. The head slider is mounted on one end of the suspension. The actuator arm is connected to other end of the suspension.
US08687317B1 Spindle motor and disk drive apparatus
A spindle motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft and an upper annular member. The rotating portion includes a sleeve. The shaft includes an annular or substantially annular upper shaft recessed portion recessed radially inward from an outside surface of the shaft. The upper shaft recessed portion is arranged opposite to an inside surface of a hole of the upper annular member. An adhesive is arranged in a gap defined between the upper shaft recessed portion and the inside surface of the hole of the upper annular member.
US08687316B2 Spindle motor and disk drive apparatus
In a spindle motor, a cup portion of a base member includes a cylindrical portion and a bottom plate portion. The cylindrical portion is concentric or substantially concentric with a central axis extending in a vertical direction. The bottom plate portion closes a bottom portion of the cylindrical portion. The bearing mechanism is accommodated in the cup portion. An adhesive is arranged between an outer circumferential surface of the bearing mechanism and an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. At least one of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing mechanism and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion includes an axially extending vertical groove. A communicating hole which is not filled with the adhesive is arranged in at least a portion of an inside of the vertical groove. The communicating hole extends continuously from an upper to a lower end portion of the vertical groove.
US08687311B2 Adjusting a preamp write current to apply an asymmetric signal at a write head
A first parameter associated with a writer preamp is defined. A write current of the writer preamp is adjusted in accordance with the first parameter so that an asymmetric signal is applied at a write head. The asymmetric signal results in symmetric writing of bits to a medium.
US08687305B2 Error recovery procedure (ERP) using estimated best setting in first run
In one embodiment, a tape drive system includes a read channel, a write channel, logic adapted for accessing data sets using the read channel and/or the write channel, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the read channel that used error recovery procedure (ERP), logic adapted for counting each data set access using the read channel that did not use ERP, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the write channel that used ERP, logic adapted for counting each data set access using the write channel that did not use ERP, and logic adapted for accessing subsequent data sets using the read channel and/or the write channel, wherein any subsequent data set access that uses ERP is accessed using an initial ERP step characterized by a first tape speed, wherein the first tape speed is selected at least partially based on the counts.
US08687304B1 Sensor-aided patterned magnetic media synchronization systems
A write clock synchronization system includes a first module configured to generate a write clock signal. A second module is configured to, based on a sensor signal received, detect a pattern of bit islands on bit-patterned media. The second module is configured to determine a phase error of the write clock signal based on the pattern of the bit islands. A third module is configured to at least one of adjust or select a phase of the write clock signal based on the phase error.
US08687300B2 Communication path latency measurement using capacitive coupling
Systems and/or methods for measuring latency in an electronic device such as, e.g., a storage device, may include coupling circuitry configured to capacitively couple an outbound or write data path to an inbound or read data path. A latency measurement signal may be driven on the write data path, the coupling circuitry may transmit at least a portion of the latency measurement signal from the write data path to the read data path, and the latency measurement signal may be sensed on the read data path to be used to determine communication path latency in the device.
US08687298B2 Lens barrel and imaging device
A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder, a first rotary cylinder rotatably provided around an axis relative to the fixed cylinder, and a moving cylinder disposed inside of the first rotary cylinder to move integrally with the first rotary cylinder on the axis and rotate around the axis relative to the first rotary cylinder. The moving cylinder includes a front protrusion group of three or more protrusions and a rear protrusion group of two or more protrusions on an outer circumference. The first rotary cylinder includes, in an inner circumference, a first circumferential groove, a second circumferential groove, a first guide having three or more depressions, and a second guide having two or more depressions. The first rotary cylinder and the moving cylinder are coupled with each other by fitting the front and rear protrusion groups into the first and second circumferential grooves, respectively.
US08687294B2 Recessed optical surfaces
An optics block includes a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, the substrate being a first material, a plurality of through holes extending in the substrate between the first and second opposing surface, a second material, different than the first material, filling a portion of the through holes and extending on a portion of the first surface of the substrate outside the through holes, and a first lens structure in the second material and corresponding to each of the through holes.
US08687292B2 Image system lens assembly
An image system lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface. The plastic fifth lens element with positive refractive power has at least one aspheric surface. The plastic sixth lens element with refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, and has at least one aspheric surface, wherein the image-side surface thereof changes from concave at a paraxial region to convex at a peripheral region.
US08687287B2 Projection apparatus
The present invention provides a projection apparatus including an image generation device and a projection lens. The projection lens is disposed between a light valve of the image generation device and a projection screen, and the projection lens includes a plurality of lenses. The lenses include a first lens, a second lens and a third lens, and the first lens, the second lens and the third lens are aspherical lenses. An effective focal length of the projection lens is between 5 mm and 8 mm, and a sum of the effective focal length of the projection lens and a number of the lenses is between 14 and 17.
US08687285B2 Lens barrel
An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit.
US08687283B2 Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a front lens group including a first lens unit having positive refractive power and a second lens unit having refractive power, and a rear lens group including a plurality of lens units. The second lens unit includes a reflective member configured to bend an optical path. At least the first lens unit and at least two lens units of the rear lens group move during zooming. The second lens unit does not move for zooming. A reflection unit including the reflective member moves perpendicularly to an optical axis of the front lens group during retraction. At least part of the front lens group is retractable into a space caused by movement of the reflection unit. A focal length f2 of the second lens unit and a focal length ft of the entire zoom lens at a telephoto end are appropriately set.
US08687279B2 Lens
The invention relates to a lens comprising two or more seating surfaces and an optical axis offset from the center of the lens such that the optical axis is spaced by a first distance from a first seating surface and by a second distance from a second seating surface. The first and second distances are different so that the lens can be orientated to provide at least two different optical axis heights depending upon which seating surface is chosen to seat the lens.
US08687272B1 Low-speckle projection screen
A projection screen that reduces speckle by separating reflective flakes by at least 100 micrometers. The reflective flakes are held in a binder material that is coated on a backing layer. In a laser projection system, the separation distance between reflective flakes may be at least twice the coherence length of the laser light.
US08687268B2 Imaging apparatus and methods
Methods, systems and apparatus for manipulating electromagnetic radiation such as laser beams. A method and apparatus for correcting magnification chromatic aberration utilizes one or more dispersive lenses such that long wavelength components are magnified less than short wavelength components. A telecentric relay is preferred to achieve this aim. Further, the use of polarizers to block the undesired zeroth order components of diffraction emanating from acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) is disclosed. Furthermore, specific designs of AOD including narrow transducer AODs which produce a diverging acoustic wave and AODs having two transducers and a selection switch are disclosed. Further, the invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for allowing the wavelength of radiation to be changed, for providing a user selectable degree of compensation, for providing a scanning and/or a pointing system and for providing a compact system that does not require telecentric relays between adjacent acousto-optic deflectors.
US08687263B2 Light control film
A light control film includes two transparent electroconductive resin substrates each having a transparent electroconductive film and a transparent resin substrate; and a light control layer sandwiched between the transparent electroconductive film sides of the two transparent electroconductive resin substrates. The transparent electroconductive film of one transparent electroconductive resin substrate having a primer layer is cut through a cutting line to have a shape of a picture or character, and the cutting line is in a form that a start point for the cutting and an end point for the cutting make a closed region. The closed region of the picture of character is electrically insulated from the transparent electroconductive film around the shape of the picture or character. The light control film enables to improve adhesiveness between film matrix and substrates and to provide stable control function.
US08687257B2 Optical device
To realize a memory effect in an optical device using the electro wetting effect. An optical device includes: first and second substrates placed opposite each other; a partition provided therebetween; a first electrode provided on one side of the first substrate, at least a part thereof overlapping with a region surrounded by the partition in a plan view; second and third electrodes provided on one side of the second substrate and which are respectively placed opposite the first electrode across the region surrounded by the partition; a smoothing layer provided on one side of the second substrate and which covers the second and third electrodes; and first and second fluid, which are incompatible, disposed in the region surrounded by the partition. The first fluid is made of a liquid body possessing polarity or conductivity, and the second fluid is made of a liquid body containing a liquid-crystalline material.
US08687250B2 Image reading apparatus and image control method of image reading apparatus, and storage medium
An image reading apparatus includes a first reading unit, a second reading unit, and a determination unit. The first reading unit reads an image on a first side of a document conveyed through a document conveyance path. The second reading unit is disposed in the document conveyance path at a reading position that is different from a reading position of the first reading unit and reads an image on a second side that is different from the first side on the document. The determination unit determines whether the document is a color document, according to whether a color image is included in an image in a predetermined region of the first side read by the first reading unit, and in an image in a region that is different from the predetermined region in the first side and read by the second reading unit.
US08687249B1 Portable scanner
A portable scanner includes a housing including a hollow upper housing and a hollow lower housing of which two ends are connected together to define a transmitting passage therebetween, a switching device rotatably mounted inside the upper housing, a first scanning device mounted on the switching device, and a document feeder for transmitting the document automatically through the transmitting passage. A first and a second scanning window are opened in and penetrating through two different sides of the upper housing respectively, wherein the second scanning window is communicated with the transmitting passage. The switching device together with the first scanning device are switched between a first scanning state that is the first scanning device faces the first scanning window for scanning the document manually, and a second scanning state that is the first scanning device faces the second scanning window for scanning the document automatically.
US08687248B2 Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus configured to read images of both surfaces of a document is provided. The image reading apparatus may include a first image reading device configured to read an image of a first surface of a document, a second image reading device configured to read an image of a second surface of the document, and a document conveying mechanism configured to convey the document from the second image reading device to the first image reading device. The first image reading device has a first reading range, and the second image reading device has a second reading range, which is smaller than the first reading range.
US08687247B2 Image reading device
An image reading device includes a conveyor unit that conveys a document along a conveying path for ADF-type image scanning including a curved path. The conveyor unit includes a conveyor roller that reverses a conveying direction of the document in the curved path. The device further includes a first contact surface that comes into contact with a first side of the document when the document is conveyed, a second contact surface that comes into contact with a second side of the document when the document is conveyed, a first reading unit that reads an image on the first side of the document, and a second reading unit disposed above the second contact surface and reading an image on the second side of the document. A part of the conveyor roller is disposed lower than the first and second contact surfaces in an up down direction of the image reading device.
US08687246B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus and imaging system
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each of the plurality of unit cells includes a pixel, and the pixel comprising a photoelectric conversion element and an in-pixel readout circuit which outputs a signal corresponding to charges generated in the photoelectric conversion element, power is supplied to the plurality of unit cells via a power supply line and a ground line, and at least one of the plurality of unit cells includes at least a part of a capacitive element having a first electrode connected to the power supply line and a second electrode connected to the ground line.
US08687243B2 Photoelectric conversion device, sensor control circuit, image reading device, and image forming apparatus
The photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light reflected from an original image to electrical signals and a clock generator configured to generate driving signals for driving the photoelectric conversion element from a reference clock. Each of the driving signals is generated using the same logic gate or substantially the same logic gate.
US08687236B2 Ink restriction determination
A method and apparatus as provided for determining, for an ink to be deposited on a substrate by a halftone inkjet printing process, a nominal coverage value (the ‘ink restriction value’), that corresponds to an amount of ink sufficient to fully cover the area of the substrate to be printed. This determination is effected by measuring the reflectance of the printed substrate for a range of nominal coverage values, and then using an automatic processing arrangement to determine, from the change of measured reflectance with nominal coverage value, the nominal coverage value at which continuous tone behavior commences.
US08687235B2 Print saving page deduction suppression processing minimizing the number of color pages
An information apparatus determines whether a number of color pages in a document data has increased, and when it is determined that the number of the color pages has not increased, page reduction processing is executed on specified pages in the document data, and when it is determined that the number of the color pages has increased, page reduction processing is not executed on the specified pages in the document data.
US08687234B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming section to form a first image onto an image carrier and transfer the first image onto the paper, a paper humidifying section to humidify at least the first image transferred paper, a humidity switching section to switch to be humidified or not by the paper humidifying section, a second image forming section to form a second image onto the image carrier and transfer the second image onto the paper, a paper transport section to transport the paper from the first image forming section to the second image forming section, and a control section to control the first and second image forming sections, wherein the control section is operated to switch the image formation control at the second image forming section, depending on whether the paper is to be humidified or not.
US08687227B2 Printing index images and file information together
An image forming apparatus is provided with a data retrieving unit that retrieves index image data and associating file information corresponding files from a recording medium. The index image data and associating tile information are allocated to a plurality of arrangement sections. The index image data and associating file information may be printed on a printing sheet in accordance with a predetermined layout. A judging unit is provided to judge whether the associating file information is less than or equal to a predetermined length, The associating file information which is longer than the predetermined length is normally printed incompletely so as to he printed within the arrangement section. A layout modifying unit is provided to modify the predetermined layout for the arrangement section if the associating file information is longer than the predetermined length so that the associating file information is printed completely on the printing sheet.
US08687226B2 Medical data recording system
A device for recording information on CDRs or other recording media and printing file information for observing what is recorded thereon. The information may be medical images such as x-rays, cat scans, magnetic resonance images, or sonograms. The discs can have patient names and other information selected from information stored thereon, printed on the disc as well as logos for the hospital, service provider or trademarks. The discs can be automatically loaded into the recorder and printer. The fields of information or logos printed on the discs can be changed to suit the user. A database creates and updates a directory of patient files so the discs can be located and the images thereon viewed for each patient. The discs have software allowing the computer to view the images on the disc so that a personal computer not having imaging software can operate the disc.
US08687222B2 Image data buffer apparatus and data transfer system for efficient data transfer
An image data buffer apparatus includes a memory, and a FIFO control unit configured to cause the memory to operate as a FIFO and having a write pointer indicative of a write position of the memory and a read pointer indicative of a read position of the memory, wherein the FIFO control unit is configured to store image data as a plurality of blocks in the memory at respective positions successively indicated by the write pointer as the image data are supplied as the blocks contained in an image, to read one of the blocks from the memory at a position indicated by the read pointer, to read, from the memory, partial data that is part of at least one block adjacent to the one of the blocks, and to consolidate the one of the blocks and the partial data for transmission as one consolidated block.
US08687220B2 Image forming apparatus, information processing device, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program
An image forming apparatus having an operation mode, an energy saving mode, and a stop mode includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording member, and a control unit that controls the image forming unit, wherein the control unit includes an arithmetic unit that performs a logical operation or a numerical operation, a storage unit that stores a register value used by the arithmetic unit in a non-volatile register which is readable and writable, and retains stored information even when no power is supplied, and a change unit that changes the register value stored in the non-volatile register so as to correspond to a mode change between the operation mode and the energy saving mode or between the operation mode and the stop mode.
US08687219B2 System which can utilize a function of an image processing apparatus as a web service
An image processing apparatus includes an execution unit configured to execute a plurality of jobs based on a processing command included in a received communication response and a determination unit configured to determine whether to transmit an execution result of an execution unit in a synchronous manner or an asynchronous manner.
US08687217B2 Wireless network printing system and method configured for selectively changing between an access point communication mode and a direct communication mode
A wireless network printing system and method, the system including: a first wireless terminal to selectively connect to an ad-hoc network, where inter-device communication is directly performed between devices, and an infrastructure network, where inter-device communication is indirectly performed, via an access point (AP); a second wireless terminal to transmit data to the first wireless terminal, via the ad-hoc network; and an image forming device affiliated with the infrastructure network, to print the data, after the data has been relayed through the first wireless terminal.
US08687216B2 Managing access to data based on location information
Techniques are provided for determining whether to allow certain operations to be performed with respect to a device based on a location of another device. One technique involves receiving a request from a first device over a network; in response to receiving the request: determining a location of the first device; based on the location of the first device relative to a second device that is different than the first device, determining whether to allow one or more operations to be performed on particular data with respect to the second device; in response to determining, based on the location of the first device relative to the second device, to allow the one or more operations to be performed on the particular data, allowing the one or more operations to be performed on the particular data.
US08687209B2 Processing apparatus, processing system, processing control method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A processing apparatus includes a processing unit and a first registration unit. The processing unit executes a requested process. The first registration unit registers therein first identification information which identifies another device, in advance. If a request for the process is received from said another device, the processing unit complies with the request without authenticating a user who makes the request on condition that the first identification information of said another device which makes the request is registered in the first registration unit.
US08687206B2 Optical detection of airfoil axial position with NSMS
A method for determining axial location of rotor blades is provided. The method may monitor an output signal of a sensor configured to detect the proximity of the rotor blades, wherein at least one of the rotor blades being marked with a position marker that is configured to cause a recognizable inconsistency in the output signal only when the rotor blades rotate at a known default axial position. The method may further determine the axial displacement of the rotor blades if the inconsistency is not detected in the output signal for at least one full revolution of the rotor blades.
US08687204B2 Method and apparatus for measuring refractive index based on a ratio between a number of second fringes divided by a difference of the number of second fringes minus a number of first fringes
A method and apparatus for measuring refractive index of an object are disclosed. The method includes, acquiring a number of first fringes of a first interference pattern formed by interference of a first beam of light transmitted through the object with a second beam of light not transmitted through the object; acquiring a number of second fringes of a second interference pattern formed by interference of a third beam of light reflected from a first surface of the object with a fourth beam of light transmitted through the object and reflected from a second surface of the object; and calculating the refractive index of the object based on the number of first fringes and the number of second fringes. The method may further include calculating the Abbe number of the object based on the refractive indices of the object measured at different wavelengths.
US08687202B2 Displacement detecting device
A displacement detecting device has a diffraction grating, grating interferometers, and relative position information output sections. The grating interferometers have a light source, reflectors, a beam splitter, and light receiving sections. The reflectors reflect 1st-order diffracted lights diffracted by the diffraction grating, and cause the reflected 1st-order diffracted lights to be incident at a position substantially identical to the position at which the light from the light source is irradiated. Furthermore, the reflectors cause the 1st-order diffracted lights to be incident on the diffraction grating at an angle different to either the incidence angle of the light from the light source incident on the diffraction grating or the angle at which the 1st-order diffracted lights are transmitted through or reflected by the diffraction grating.
US08687201B2 Optical coherence tomography control systems and methods
In part, the invention relates to methods, devices, and systems suitable for controlling a light source. The light source is configured for use in a data collection system such as an optical coherence tomography system. The light source can be controlled with a drive waveform. Linearizing and symmetrizing parameters of the light source such as forward and backward scan durations is achieved using a suitable drive waveform. Phase, amplitude, and other parameters for different harmonics of a fundamental wave can be identified that improve operating parameters such as the duty cycle and peak frequency matching between scans. The fundamental wave and one or more of such harmonics can be combined to generate the suitable drive wave form. The light source can include a tunable light source that includes or is in optical communication with a tunable filter.
US08687200B2 Method and device for measuring motion error of linear stage
Measurement of motion errors of a linear stage is performed to enable accurate measurement of motion errors in linear directions and a rotational direction in the linear stage using a diffraction grating. A first beam splitter splits a laser beam emitted from a light emitting unit. A first measurement unit measures a unidirectional linear motion error of the linear stage using one laser beam component split by the first beam splitter and a second measurement unit measures an angular motion error and another unidirectional linear motion of the linear stage error using a diffracted beam component obtained by diffracting another laser beam component split by the first beam splitter through the diffraction grating. A third measurement unit circularly polarizes the beam component diffracted through the diffraction grating to measure a third unidirectional linear motion error of the linear stage.
US08687187B2 Surface enhanced raman spectroscopy on optical resonator (e.g., photonic crystal) surfaces
Highly sensitive Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensors are described in the form of a optical resonator and a metal nanostructure deposited on surface of the optical resonator. In one embodiment the optical resonator is in the form of a photonic crystal, but other optical resonators are contemplated. Examples are described in which the resonant near-fields of a large-area replica molded photonic crystal efficiently couples light from a laser to dielectric-metal “post-cap” nanostructures deposited on the photonic crystal surface by a glancing angle evaporation technique, achieving a high SERS enhancement factor. Other constructions are also contemplated a metal nanostructure formed on a dielectric support deposited on the photonic crystal, including a metallic film deposited over close-packed surface of nanospheres, arrays of metallic nanotriangles, metallic nanorods, metallic nanohelices, arrays of metallic nanospheres, and roughened metal surfaces.
US08687184B2 Reference cell
Reference cell (8) for use with a fiber optic probe (1) comprising a base wall (11), upstanding walls (12) each having an optical window (13, 15), and a top wall (14) having a further optical window (16) adapted to allow light to pass to and from a fiber optic probe. The base wall (11) comprises a reflector (19) which reflects incident light from the fiber optic probe back to said probe (1). The top wall (14) has an attachment for receiving an emitting and a receiving end of a fiber optic probe (1). The cell (8) allows use of standard fiber optic probe (1) with other optical equipment when the path length and the probe optical characteristics require validation to international standards. The calibration of the probe (1) is analogous to calibration of laboratory spectrophotometers and can therefore be validated. The device (8) enables probes (1) to be used for applications where precision and accuracy are essential.
US08687179B2 Wavefront aberration measuring apparatus
A wavefront aberration measuring apparatus comprising: an illumination optical system provided to an incident side of a test lens; and a measuring optical system provided to an exit side of the test lens, the illumination optical system including an aperture stop capable of being opened and closed, and the illumination optical system being movable along an optical axis of the illumination optical system so as to adjust positions of the aperture stop and an entrance pupil of the test lens to have an optically conjugate relation with each other. Accordingly, it becomes possible to provide a wavefront aberration measuring apparatus capable of suppressing errors in measured result.
US08687177B2 System and method for combined Raman and LIBS detection
A system and method for detection and identification of unknown samples using a combination of Raman and LIBS detection techniques. A first region of a sample and a second region of a sample are illuminated using structured illumination to thereby generate a first plurality of interacted photons and a second plurality of interacted photons. This first plurality and second plurality of interacted photons may be passed through a fiber array spectral translator device. Said first plurality of interacted photons are assessed using Raman spectroscopy to thereby generate a Raman data set. Said second plurality of interacted photons are assessed using LIBS spectroscopy to thereby generate LIBS data set. These data sets may be analyzed to identify the sample. These data sets may also be fused for further analysis.
US08687173B2 Compact fiber optic geometry for a counter chirp FMCW coherent laser radar
A system and method for determining a measured distance between a measuring device (20A) and an object (21), the system including a first laser source (13) for producing a first light beam (13A) having a first waveform (32) and a first frequency; a second laser source (11) for producing a second light beam (1 IA) having a second frequency, said second light beam (HA) having a second waveform (36), wherein said first frequency is chirped up at the first rate as said second frequency is chirped down at the first rate, and said second frequency is chirped up at the second rate as said first frequency is chirped down at the first rate; an optical element (15) for combining said first light beam (13A) with said second light beam (HA) into a combined light beam path (17), said optical element (15) splitting a returning portion of said combined light beam path (17) into a third light beam (24); and a single detector (23) for receiving said third light beam (24) including two different beat frequencies that are proportional to the measured distance.
US08687171B2 Electromagnetic actuator, stage apparatus and lithographic apparatus
An electromagnetic actuator includes a first and second magnetic members that are displaceable relative to each other and are arranged to provide a magnetic circuit; and a coil configured to, in use, receive a current to generate a magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit, thereby generating a force between the first and second magnetic members in a first direction, the magnetic flux, in use, being transferred between the first and second magnetic members through a first surface of the first magnetic member and a second surface of the second magnetic member, the first and second surface being separated by an airgap, wherein the first surface and the second surface are arranged relative to each other such that an outer dimension of the first surface extends beyond an outer dimension of the second surface in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
US08687170B2 Asymmetric complementary dipole illuminator
An apparatus, a method of designing the apparatus, a tool using the apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for optimizing optical photolithography during formation of integrated circuits. The apparatus includes: an asymmetrical complementary dipole element including: first and second openings being equidistant and mirror images about a first axis, the first and second openings having essentially a same first area and a same first optical density relative to a selected wavelength of light; third and fourth openings being equidistant and mirror images about a second axis, the third and fourth openings having essentially a same second area, and a same second optical density relative to the selected wavelength of light; and wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis and the first and second optical densities are different.
US08687164B2 Liquid crystal display device and electronic device using the same
A liquid crystal display device includes an illuminator and a liquid crystal panel for performing displaying by using light which is emitted from the illuminator. The liquid crystal panel includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer provided between the pair of substrates, and a pair of alignment films provided on sides of the pair of substrates facing the liquid crystal layer. At least one of the alignment films is a photo-alignment film which is imparted with an orientation regulating force through a photo-alignment treatment, and the illuminator includes a light source causing primary generation of at least blue light, among other light which is used for displaying.
US08687163B2 Display panel and liquid crystal display device having particular sealing structure
The present invention provides a display panel that can improve the adhesion strength of a sealing member and that can reduce moisture permeation caused by an alignment film without performing a treatment to remove the alignment film. A display panel according to the present invention is a display panel having a pair of substrates attached to each other via a sealing member. At least one of the pair of substrates has a configuration in which a transparent resin film and an alignment film are laminated. In the display panel, a side face of an edge of the transparent resin film has a reverse tapered shape; the alignment film is separated at the side face of the edge; and the transparent resin film and the sealing member are attached to each other without having the alignment film therebetween.
US08687160B2 Display device
To provide a plural-viewpoint display device having an image separating optical element such as a lenticular lens or a parallax barrier, which is capable of arranging thin film transistors and wirings while achieving substantially trapezoid apertures and high numerical aperture, and to provide a driving method thereof, a terminal device, and a display panel. A neighboring pixel pair arranged with a gate line interposed therebetween is connected to the gate line placed between the pixels, each of the pixels configuring the neighboring pixel pair is connected to the data line different from each other, and each of the neighboring pixel pairs neighboring to each other in an extending direction of the gate lines is connected to the gate line different from each other.
US08687159B2 Liquid crystal display device of in-plane switching mode and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode includes gate lines and data lines which cross each other on a substrate to define pixel regions, thin film transistors which are formed at crossing portions of the gate lines and the data lines, first common lines formed on the same layer as the gate lines, first electrode fingers which have a plurality of diverged first fingers and include L-shaped protruded patterns at one ends of the first fingers in the pixel regions, and second electrode fingers which have second fingers formed alternately with the first fingers and include |-shaped patterns at one ends of the second fingers in the pixel regions, wherein the L-shaped protruded patterns and the |-shaped patterns overlap partly with the first common lines.
US08687157B2 Liquid crystal display device
To provide a portable electronic device monitor which is a horizontal electric field liquid crystal display device and which is capable of clear display even outdoors. A reflective electrode is provided in a horizontal electric field liquid crystal display device. By providing the reflective electrode, natural light can be reflected efficiently and clear display can be provided outdoors. In addition, by providing the reflective electrode with unevenness, reflectance can be increased. The present invention provides a horizontal electric field liquid crystal display device such as this which is capable of clear display even outdoors.
US08687155B2 Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first insulative substrate, a second insulative substrate, a first polarizer disposed on an outer surface side of the first insulative substrate, a second polarizer disposed on an outer surface side of the second insulative substrate, and a first retardation plate and a second retardation plate, which are stacked between the second insulative substrate and the second polarizer. When a retardation in the thickness direction, which is defined by ((nx+ny)/2−nz)*d, is Rth, the first retardation plate has a negative first retardation Rth1, the second retardation plate has a positive second retardation Rth2, and a contribution degree of the second retardation Rth2, which is defined by |Rth2|*100/(|Rth1|+|Rth2|), is 40%±3%.
US08687154B2 In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display, in which a pixel electrode and a common electrode are formed on the same substrate. The display includes a first substrate having a first conductive layer and second conductive layer, the first conductive layer and second conductive layer formed on each surface of the first substrate; a second substrate has a transparent pixel electrode and a transparent common electrode formed on one surface of the second substrate, facing the second conductive layer; an electrical connection part is installed to electrically connect the second conductive layer to the transparent common electrode, wherein a common voltage applied to the transparent common electrode is applied to the second conductive layer through the electrical connection part. This arrangement prevents generation of static electricity to suppress a whitening phenomenon due to liquid crystal polarization in a liquid crystal layer, thereby improving display image quality.
US08687152B2 Image display device having polarizer with polarizer protection
Provided is an image display device including an image display cell and a polarizing plate placed on a viewer side of the image display cell. The first polarizing plate includes a polarizer and a first protective film. The first protective film is placed on a viewer-side principal surface of the polarizer and satisfies following relations: (i) 0 nm≦Re1≦3000 nm; (ii) Nz1≧7; and (iii) Rth1>2500 nm. Re1, Rth1 and Nz1 are defined by following equations: Re1=(nx1−ny1)d1; Rth1=(nx1−nz1)d1; and Nz1=Rth1/Re1, wherein d1 represents a thickness of the first protective film, nx1 represents a refractive index in a direction of an in-plane slow axis of the protective film, ny1 represents a refractive index in a direction of an in-plane fast axis of the protective film, and nz1 represents a refractive index in a direction of the thickness of the protective film.
US08687148B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention enables a liquid crystal display device using LEDs as a light source to reduce uneven brightness, increase efficiency of heat discharged from the LEDs, and provide area brightness control. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight. The backlight includes a light guide panel and a plurality of LEDs arranged on a line. The light guide panel includes a concave portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the light guide panel. A large number of LEDs are placed in the concave portion of the light guide panel. The plurality of LEDs arranged on a line emit light alternately in opposite directions. This configuration allows for uniform brightness distribution without forming a large number of concave portions in the light guide panel. Further, this configuration also allows for area brightness control by controlling a large number of LEDs by group.
US08687147B2 Color regulating device for illumination and apparatus using the same, and method of regulating color
There is provided a color-regulating device for illumination. The color-regulating device includes a light-valving structure for adjusting a flux ratio of outgoing light through the light-valving structure to incident light entering the light-valving structure, and a color-adjusting structure having a wavelength-band converting element for changing incident light with a wavelength band into outgoing light with a different wavelength band through the element. Wherein, the light-valving structure and the color-adjusting structure do not overlap on the traveling path of the light emitted from the light source. Mixing the outgoing light of the light source passing through the light-valving structure with the outgoing light of the light source passing through and at least a portion thereof converted by the color-adjusting structure with a different wavelength band yields a color-adjusted light of different color temperature from that of the light source.
US08687143B2 Multi-primary display with area active backlight
A method of illuminating a display includes spatially varying the luminance of a multi-colored light source illuminating a plurality of pixels of the display in response to receiving a plurality of pixel values, and varying the transmittance of a light valve of the display having filters corresponding to the multi-colored light source in response to receiving the plurality of pixel values. The illumination is modified for a plurality of pixel values based upon modification of the luminance of the light source and varying the transmittance of the light valve. The modifying is further based upon modification of at least one of the multi-colored light sources together with modification of the transmittance of the light valve corresponding to at least one of the filters of a different color than the at least one of the multi-colored light sources in such a manner that increases the color gamut of the display.
US08687142B2 Backlight unit comprising a bottom cover including an embossing portion that overlaps with a portion of an LED package and liquid crystal display using the same
A backlight unit comprises a light emitting diode (LED) package including one or more LED chips, a light source PCB mounting one side of a bottom of the LED package or both sides of the bottom of the LED package, a bottom cover supporting the light source PCB under the light source PCB, and having an embossing portion which protrudes toward the LED package with a size corresponding to the bottom of the LED package which is not mounted on the light source PCB, and a heat emission material filling between the bottom of the LED package and the embossing portion.
US08687141B2 Backlight module and liquid crystal display
The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) thereof. The backlight module comprises a backplane and a heatsink plate attached to the backplane, and the backlight module of the LCD also comprises at least one press plate, wherein the press plate is attached to the heatsink plate to tightly press the heatsink plate against the backplane. Because a press plate is added in the present invention to tightly press the heatsink plate, the press plate reduces the gaps formed between the places away from the attaching points because of small pressure. Therefore, thermal contact resistance is reduced, the heat in the cavity of the backlight is conducted to the metal backplane in time, and the temperature of the backlight module is reduced.
US08687136B2 Repairing method for pixel structure with repairable capacitor structures
A repairing method for a pixel structure including an active device, a pixel electrode connected with the active device, a bottom electrode disposed under the pixel electrode, upper electrodes disposed between the pixel electrode and the bottom electrode and connected with the pixel electrode, a first dielectric layer disposed between the bottom electrode and the upper electrodes and a second dielectric layer disposed between the upper electrodes and the pixel electrode is provided. The repairing method includes removing a portion of the pixel electrode to electrically isolate the contact region over the upper electrode from the remaining portion of the pixel electrode, wherein a storage capacitor is formed by the reserved region over the upper electrode, the second dielectric layer and the remaining portion of the pixel electrode.
US08687135B2 Stereoscopic liquid crystal display device having touch panel and method for manufacturing the same
A stereoscopic liquid crystal display device having a touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein a stable touch detection can be performed without influencing the operation of a neighboring display panel or an electrically-driven liquid crystal lens, are disclosed.
US08687132B2 Display device with parallax barrier on substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a display device according to one aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a display device including a liquid crystal interposed between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate that are opposed to each other, the method including the steps of: bonding the CF substrate and the TFT substrate each having a mother substrate shape to form a cell substrate from which at least one panel is to be cut out; forming, after formation of the cell substrate, a parallax barrier layer for separating a display image on an outer side of the cell substrate at a side of one of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate; and dividing, after formation of the parallax barrier layer, the cell substrate into at least one panel.
US08687129B2 TV interface control system and method with automatic search
An automatic search system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by using the remote in a closed configuration.
US08687126B2 Digital image signal processing method, medium for recording the method, and digital image signal processing apparatus
Provided is a digital image signal processing method, a recording medium for recording the method, and a digital image signal processing apparatus, in which a storage area of a memory may be efficiently used and an image desired by a user can be stored even when the storage area of the memory is insufficient. According to the present invention, a scene of an image may be recognized and a resolution and an image quality may be modified according to the recognized scene, thereby efficiently using the storage area of the memory.
US08687122B2 Image display device
According to the present invention, there is provided an image display device for displaying acquired image information including: an information acquisition section for acquiring image information and information associated with the image information by communication from an external device; an adjustment section for executing image quality adjustment processing in relation to display of the image information; and a setting section for setting details of the image quality adjustment processing, based on the information. Therefore, details of the image quality adjustment processing may easily be set automatically in an appropriate manner.
US08687121B2 Video synthesizing apparatus and program
The invention provides data for display on the display area for a child frame when the child frame is synthesized and displayed on the parent frame in picture-in-picture playback in order to give the displayed area of the child frame in conformity with the video content in the parent frame, as well as providing a video display apparatus etc. for displaying the child frame at an appropriate displayed position using the data for display. A video display apparatus 1 includes: decoders 101 and 103 for decoding two sets of video data; a synthesizer 105 for synthesizing the decoded videos to output; an input unit 108 for commanding display/non-display of the child frame; a processing controller 109 for controlling the operations of decoders 101 and 103 in accordance with the command; and a position designator 110 which receives the command and the data for display and time information and designates the displayed position of the child frame to the synthesizer 105. The position designator 110 determines the displayed position of the child-frame video in accordance with displayable time information of the child-frame video and information on the displayed area or displayable area depending on time, included in the data for display.
US08687119B2 Video display apparatus and control method thereof, and video output apparatus and control method thereof
When a video output apparatus (100) is connected, a video display apparatus (200) obtains information of content data stored in the video output apparatus (100). Then, based on the obtained information, the video display apparatus (200) determines whether the content data is decodable with respect to itself. If it is not decodable, it requests the video output apparatus (100) to decode the content data before transferring the content data using a data transfer method specified. By doing this, an appropriate transfer protocol is selected automatically when transferring content data between the video display apparatus (200) and the video output apparatus (100).
US08687118B2 Repeater being utilized between a source and sink device for lip-syncing in an HDMI system
A repeater is to be provided between a source device and a sink device and be used in a Lip-sync correction system that transmits a video signal and an audio signal from the source device to the sink device through a HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) transmission path and reproduces the video signal and the audio signal in synchronous with them on the sink device. A communication from the source device to the sink device is defined as a downstream communication, and a communication from the sink device to the source device is defined as a upstream communication. The repeater includes a processor that receives the video signal and the audio signal through the upstream communication and the downstream communication and processes the received video signal and the received audio signal. The processor corrects deviation between the video signal and the audio signal.
US08687115B2 Method and apparatus for processing video image signals
An imager achieves a desired image resolution by successively reproducing partial images which complement each other. The imager assigns pixels from an input image to the respective partial images according to complementing patterns that correspond to the pixel pattern of the imager. The imager reproduces the complementing pattern at different spatial positions, such that the complementing patterns merge. In order to avoid perceived double imaging of moving objects the image signal provided to the imager is assembled from an original image and a motion compensated interpolated image, which is derived from at least two consecutive images. Accordingly, every other partial image that is reproduced is derived from an interpolated image and takes into account movement of objects in the image that takes place between two consecutive images. In one embodiment the partial images are re-combined into one full image in a sequence that anticipates the distribution of the pixels used in the imaging device.
US08687106B2 Camera device, mobile terminal and frame rate controlling method
A mobile phone apparatus 10 is equipped with a camera module 36 including an image sensor (52), an AE evaluation circuit (60), etc. When a camera function is executed, an exposure is adjusted such that an exposure evaluated value is equal to an exposure target value, whereby, an AF controlling processing is executed. For example, when a shutter key is operated, the exposure target value is changed to an exposure target value for AF control being smaller than an exposure target value for normal photographing. Furthermore, a frame rate is increased such that the exposure evaluated value having a correlation to the frame rate is smaller than the exposure target value in response to the change of the exposure target value. Then, the AF controlling processing is executed on the basis of the image data every frame output from the image sensor (52) at the increased frame rate.
US08687104B2 User-guided object identification
A user attempting to obtain information about an object can capture image information including a view of that object, and the image information can be used with a matching or identification process to provide information about that type of object to the user. In order to narrow the search space to a specific category, and thus improve the accuracy of the results and the speed at which results can be obtained, the user can be guided to capture image information with an appropriate orientation. An outline or other graphical guide can be displayed over image information captured by a computing device, in order to guide the user in capturing the object from an appropriate direction and with an appropriate scale for the type of matching and/or information used for the matching. Such an approach enables three-dimensional objects to be analyzed using conventional two-dimensional identification algorithms, among other such processes.
US08687103B2 Electronic apparatus and method of operating electronic apparatus through touch sensor
An electronic apparatus has a touch sensor provided with a first touching zone including at least a second touching zone and a third touching zone, the second and third touching zones being allocated with different functions. The electronic apparatus is controlled to perform a specific function assigned to a specific touching zone that is the second or the third touching zone when there is a first touch input at first through the specific touching zone and continuously perform the specific function even if there is a second touch input that follows the first touch input, through either the second or the third touching zone that is not the specific touching zone, as long as there is a continuous touch input through the first touching zone from the first to the second touch input with no intermission.
US08687102B2 Electronic camera that displays information representative of its selected mode
An electronic camera is used with a display screen and includes an imaging device, a pixel density converter, a moving image recording device and a still image recording device. The imaging device images an object and converts the imaged object to image information. The pixel density converter converts the image information converted by the imaging device to a pixel density suitable for a scan format of the display screen. The moving image recording device successively retrieves the image information from the pixel density converter and records the image information in the recording medium as a series of moving images. The still image recording device retrieves the image information converted by the imaging device and records the image information in the recording medium as a still image.
US08687099B2 Imaging device, imaging method, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a pixel unit including a pixel disposed in a plane and a driving unit. The pixel includes an accumulating section configured to detect a physical quantity, and accumulate a charge corresponding to the physical quantity, a transfer section configured to transfer the charge from the accumulating section, a converting section configured to convert the charge into a voltage, an output section configured to output a signal of the voltage converted by the converting section, a reset section configured to reset the potential of the converting section, and a connecting section connected to the converting section. The driving unit is configured to transfer a signal for giving an instruction to transfer the charge, and a connecting signal for controlling connection and non-connection. The driving unit makes the charge transferred in a state of the converting sections being connected to each other.
US08687095B2 Method and device for de-noising a digital video signal, and corresponding computer program product
A method may denoise a digital video signal produced by a photoelectric sensor as a matrix of pixel signals affected by both thermal noise and impulsive noise. The method may include estimating the noise level associated to the pixel signals, and filtering the pixel signals with an attenuation factor that is a function of the estimated noise level.
US08687086B1 On-chip image sensor data compression
An image sensor compresses image data prior to transmitting the image data to a DSP. The image sensor captures light representing an image, for instance via a camera's aperture. A focal plane array converts the captured light into pixel data. The pixel data is sorted into categories, and is compressed in parallel by a compression engine. The compressed pixel data is then sent to a DSP, which may be located off-chip. The DSP then decompresses the compressed pixel data, performs image signal processing operations on the compressed pixel data, and then compresses the processed pixel data into a digital image format. The image sensor may buffer the pixel data for one or more images to accommodate for slowdown by the compression engine. The pixel data may be sorted by row and column of a pixel array. Alternatively, the pixel data may be sorted by color from a Bayer color filter.
US08687083B2 High resolution digital image capturing apparatus and reference pixel memory storage space configuration method
A reference pixel memory storage space configuration method for configuring a main storage sub-space and an extra storage sub-space of a reference pixel memory storage space of a high resolution digital image capturing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes steps of: calculating a first frame to obtain a plurality of first reconstruction reference pixels; storing the first reconstruction reference pixels in the main storage sub-space; moving a search range window to search the first reconstruction reference pixels and calculating a second frame by referencing the first reconstruction reference pixels covered by the search range window to obtain a plurality of second reconstruction reference pixels, and when the search range window is moved from a first region to a second region in the main storage sub-space, the first region becomes an available space. The second reconstruction reference pixels are orderly stored in the extra storage sub-space and the available space.
US08687082B2 Solid-state imaging device and camera system with pseudo-thinning-out processing
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section in which a plurality of pixels converting optical signals into electric signals and accumulating the electric signals in accordance with an exposure period are arranged in a matrix shape; and a pixel driving section that is able to drive the pixel section to perform reset thereof and accumulate and output the electric signals, wherein the pixel driving section includes a vertical reading function of alternately reading pixel columns for which addition is vertically performed and pixel columns for which the addition is not performed, and a column reading function of changing the addition and normal reading whenever reading each single row in response to scanning of the vertical reading circuit, and the pixel driving section performs pseudo thinning-out reading addition equivalent to thinning-out by reading all pixels without thinning out pixels in a reading target row.
US08687073B2 Multi-channel imaging devices
A multi-channel imaging device is provided. The multi-channel imaging device comprises a focal plane array comprising an array of pixels configured to detect radiation in a predetermined wavelength band. Subsets of the array of pixels are arranged to define a plurality of unit cell image areas. The multi-channel imaging device also comprises a lens array comprising a plurality of lens elements configured to image a scene onto the plurality of unit cell image areas. The lens elements and the unit cell image areas define a plurality of unit cells comprising at least one lens element and at least one unit cell image area. Each of the plurality of unit cells is configured to create a complete image of the scene. Additionally, a plurality of unit cell filters corresponding to the plurality of unit cells is configured to filter radiation such that each unit cell is dedicated to an image channel is also provided.
US08687070B2 Image capture device having tilt and/or perspective correction
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed to correct for tilt and/or perspective distortion in image capture devices. In some embodiments, the method may include reading an orientation measurement associated with a relative position of an image capture device with respect to an object, determining if the orientation measurement is less than a threshold, and in the event that the orientation measurement is less than the threshold, correcting an image obtained by the image capture device. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include an image sensor, a memory coupled to the image sensor, an orientation measurement device coupled to the image sensor, and a distance measurement device coupled to the image sensor, where the image data may be stored in the memory along with a measurement from the accelerometer and along with a measurement from the distance measurement device.
US08687068B2 Pattern of color codes
A pattern includes a spatial configuration of color codes. Each color code is a unique configuration of colors selected from a number of basis colors. The color codes each include the same number of colors.
US08687062B1 Step-stare oblique aerial camera system
An aerial camera system is disclosed comprising: a camera cluster, including a plurality of cameras, each camera orientated in a direction selected from a plurality of different camera directions having a downward component; one or more rotators that rotate the camera cluster about respective one or more axes in response to one or more signals, and a control module that successively provides one or more signals to the one or more rotators to rotate the camera cluster and cause the cameras in the camera cluster to acquire respective aerial images.
US08687055B2 Spectral imaging of moving objects with a stare down camera
A spectral imaging system for collecting spectral information of a two dimensional heterogeneous objects while in motion relative to the imaging system without the use of a spectrograph, filters or any dispersive optics. The system includes a pulsed light source tunable in wavelength for producing short pulses of wavelength tuned light at a plurality of selected narrow band wavelengths within a spectral range and one or more optical components for conveying or directing the short pulses of light to a two dimensional region that is substantially stationary with respect to the imaging system and through which the two dimensional target is moving. The system also includes a many pixel camera synchronized with the tunable pulsed light source. The camera is adapted to detect light in the selected narrow band wavelengths produced by the tunable pulsed light source and reflected from or transmitted through the two dimensional target in motion relative to the imaging system and to provide image frame information with each frame at a defined wavelength band. A processor processes information from said tunable light source and said camera and to produce multi-spectral images of the target.
US08687054B1 Method and system for individualized video program content
A method and system for providing individualized video program content whereby currently available synchronized active shutter technology, such as is implemented in currently available 3-D televisions, and multiple channel audio technology, such as stereo, or 5:1 surround sound technology, is modified to provide two or more interlaced versions of at least a portion of a video program such that two or more “classes”, or types of viewers, can virtually simultaneously view separate versions of the portion of a video program in a single run of the video program, i.e., in the same viewing of the program by both types of viewers.
US08687050B2 Stereoscopic extinction ratio test pattern
A test pattern for evaluating L/R crosstalk extinction ratio in a stereoscopic 3D system has a strip of one characteristic—polarization, white, color—associated with a plurality of calibrated chips in a left eye image and a strip of a contrasting characteristic—orthogonal polarization, white, contrasting color—associated with a plurality of calibrated chips in a right eye image such that, when the two images are superimposed, the strip of one image overlays the calibrated chips of the other image. By alternately occluding one eye while observing the superimposed image with the other eye, a portion of the strip of the occluded eye image appears across the chips of the viewing eye image when there is crosstalk. The extinction ratio value associated with the chip of the viewing eye image that most closely matches the portion of the strip from the occluded eye image is an estimate of the L/R crosstalk.
US08687046B2 Three-dimensional (3D) video for two-dimensional (2D) video messenger applications
Three-dimensional (3D) video is provided to a legacy two-dimensional (2D) video messenger application. A request for video content from a single video camera is received at a camera interface module from the 2D video messenger application. The request for video content from the single video camera is forwarded to a video processing offload module. A first video camera and a second video camera are controlled. Merged 3D video content from the video processing offload module is received. The merged 3D video content is sent to the 2D video messenger application in response to receipt of the merged 3D video content from the video processing offload module. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08687044B2 Depth camera compatibility
Compatibility between a depth image consumer and a plurality of different depth image producers is provided by receiving a native depth image having unsupported depth camera parameters that are not compatible with a depth image consumer, and converting the native depth image to a virtual depth image having supported virtual depth camera parameters that are compatible with the depth image consumer. This virtual depth image is then output to the depth image consumer.
US08687040B2 Optical device with electrically variable extended depth of field
A system and method for providing an optical device with a variable extended depth-of-field (EDOF). The optical device includes an optically transparent liquid crystal layer, an optically transparent phase mask, optically aligned with the liquid crystal layer and separated therefrom by an optically transparent substrate, an optically transparent index-matching layer, disposed adjacent to one surface of the phase mask, and having a refractive index substantially matching that of the phase mask; and a pair of electrodes for generating an electric field acting on said liquid crystal layer to change the depth of field of the imaging system in proportion to the amplitude of a signal applied to the electrodes.
US08687039B2 Diminishing an appearance of a double chin in video communications
Techniques for diminishing an appearance of a participant's double chin during video conferencing. A participant's image is captured with an input device and processed so as to diminish the appearance of a double chin between the participant's chin and neck. The processed image with a diminished double chin appearance is outputted to both the participant's video conferencing graphical user interface and to the graphical user interface of a remote participant that the participant is communicating with in the video conferencing session. The diminished double chin appearance may be dynamically modified in real time during the video conference.
US08687036B2 Light source driver, light source device, light scanning device and image forming apparatus
A light source driver mounted on a rectangular-shaped substrate includes a plurality of output parts that output driving signals to drive a plurality of light-emitting bodies. The plurality of output parts are disposed in a vicinity of the two sides of the substrate, the two sides of the substrate forming a corner of the substrate.
US08687035B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus provided with the same
An optical scanning device includes an air-tight casing, an air-tight container and a tube-like member. The air-tight casing is configured to accommodate at least a polygon mirror and a driving unit that rotates the polygon mirror. The air-tight container is disposed at a distance from the air-tight casing and outside an outer wall surface vertically above the air-tight casing. The tube-like member is configured to communicatively connect an inside of the air-tight casing and an inside of the air-tight container.
US08687028B2 Method, system and apparatus for power saving backlight
A method, apparatus, and system for displaying an image on a liquid crystal display (LCD). The method, apparatus, and system can include condensing a plurality of pixel gray values to a concentrated pixel, the concentrated pixel assigned to a geometric position on a display and described by at least one of a plurality of parameters and gray value; forming the concentrated pixels to a condensed image; resolving a light spread function of a first LED in substantially the same resolution as the condensed image; calculating a backlight needed based on the condensed image; and optimizing a value of a plurality of LEDs by considering the contribution of the plurality of LEDs on the concentrated pixel, wherein light spread functions of the LEDs are used.
US08687025B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes: a panel including a plurality of pixel circuits, each of the pixel circuits including a light emitting element having one end coupled to a first voltage source for supplying a first voltage and another end coupled to a second voltage source for supplying a second voltage; a controller for reducing image data for one frame and for outputting a control signal and a data signal to display an image corresponding to the reduced image data on the panel; a voltage difference setting unit for detecting a peak value of the reduced image data and for calculating a driving voltage for generating a peak driving current corresponding to the peak value; and a power supply for generating the first and second voltages and for providing the first and second voltages to the panel in accordance with the driving voltage.
US08687024B2 Pixel circuit and display apparatus
An active matrix display apparatus comprises plural gate lines and plural source lines that are arranged such that the plural gate lines respectively intersect the plural source lines and light-emitting element circuits, which are provided to respectively correspond to intersections at which the plural gate lines intersect the plural source line. Additionally, each of the light-emitting element circuits includes a light-emitting element for emitting light according to a current supplied thereto, a drive transistor for controlling a current supplied to the light-emitting element, and a control transistor for controlling writing of an image signal to the drive transistor. Furthermore, the drive transistor has a body terminal and is configured to correct luminance of the light-emitting element using a voltage applied to the body terminal.
US08687021B2 Augmented reality and filtering
A system (and corresponding method) that can enhance a user experience by augmenting real-world experiences with virtual world data to is provided. The augmented reality system discloses various techniques to personalize real-world experiences by overlaying or interspersing virtual capabilities (and data) with real world situations. The innovation can also filter, rank, modify or ignore virtual-world information based upon a particular real-world class, user identity or context.
US08687020B2 Virtual environment simulating travel by various modes of transportation
A restaurant comprising a virtual reality environment simulating travel by a mode of transportation, such as a train or a boat, to allow individuals seating in the restaurant to have the impression of travelling while enjoying their meals. The restaurant comprises a dining room having side walls, each side wall having a series of windows. Screens are placed on opposed facing sides of the dining room at a distance behind the side walls. A set of projectors is provided for projecting a seamless flow of continuous passing by images of a landscape on the screens. A display control unit synchronizes the projection of the passing by images on the screens in order to create an illusion of travel through the landscape when viewed through the windows in the side walls.
US08687018B1 Collection and confirmation of place metadata and graphic representations of fixed objects displayed in a mapping system
A computer-implemented system, method, or computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for execution on a processor may edit and confirm data associated with geographic locations shared by models graphically representing physical objects corresponding to geographic locations displayed in a web-enabled mapping system. This may allow a user to edit or create a graphic component corresponding to a model and receive an edited or created model at the mapping system. The user may also change or supplement graphical and non-graphical data corresponding to the model's location in response to receiving the edited or created model at the mapping system, and determine if the user changed or supplemented the non-graphical data associated with the model. This changed data may also be reviewed against rules to determine if it should be associated with the model that is displayed in the mapping system.
US08687015B2 Brushing tools for digital image adjustments
Among other things, methods, systems and computer program products for applying an image adjustment to an image. A choice of image adjustments is presented to a user of a data processing device. A user selection is received from among the choice of image adjustments at least one image adjustment that a user desires to apply to an area of interest of the image. The user selected image adjustment is applied to an entirety of an image. A preview of the user selected image adjustment applied to the entirety of the image is displayed. Also, user input comprising user selection of a brushing application is received. The user selected image adjustment is applied to the area of interest of the image and a remainder of the image is restored to a pre-adjustment state using the user selection of the brushing application.
US08687010B1 Arbitrary size texture palettes for use in graphics systems
Arbitrary size texture palettes. A texture palette storage embodied in a computer readable medium is provided. The texture palette storage is partitioned into texture palette tables of arbitrary size. Texel data is stored for each of the texture palette tables in the texture palette storage. Another aspect is a palette memory that receives a texture index value of y-bits. The palette memory comprises subtables of different length. Each sub-table has a range with a start address and a length. The start address is a multiple of m. Each range is of a length addressable by y-bits. The palette memory also includes a sub-table index value of x-bits.
US08687001B2 Apparatus and method extracting light and texture, and rendering apparatus using light and texture
Provided is a light and texture extracting apparatus and method of rendering, and a rendering apparatus using a light and a texture. Light information applied to an input image and texture information of the input image may be extracted from the input image and the shape information of the input image. The extracted light information and the texture information may be used to render another image for more realistic rendering.
US08686999B2 Dynamic fragment coverage antialiasing
The following discloses antialiasing systems and methods. Information about one or more fragments or primitives in a pixel area may be dynamically stored. The stored information may include, for example, depth, color, location and coverage. The coverage and depth information may be tracked at a higher frequency across the pixel than the number of fragments or primitives. Fragments or primitives that enter into a pixel area may be compared with fragments or primitives that have been stored. The comparisons may be based on depth and coverage. Either the incoming fragment or the stored fragment may be deleted based on the comparisons. Information associated with fragments that are preserved may be sampled at any location associated with their coverage area of a pixel. Fragments or primitives that are not discarded may be preserved for a final resolve process, which may incorporate information available from neighboring pixel areas.
US08686995B2 Path planning for street level navigation in a three-dimensional environment, and applications thereof
Embodiments relate to navigating along a street network in a geographic information system. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method navigates a virtual camera in a three-dimensional environment at street-level. The virtual camera defines a perspective to display the three-dimensional environment. In the method, a target location is determined in the three-dimensional environment. A path along a representation of a street in the three-dimensional environment is determined. The path is from a first position corresponding to an initial location of the virtual camera to a second position corresponding to the target location. A virtual camera is moved in the three-dimensional environment toward the target location along the path. Finally, the virtual camera is oriented to face the target location as the virtual camera moves along the path.
US08686992B1 Methods and systems for 3D shape matching and retrieval
Methods and systems for 3D shape retrieval are described herein. An embodiment includes receiving a query 3D model, extracting a plurality of features of the query 3D model, comparing the features of the 3D query model against a plurality of features of one or more 3D models in a repository, calculating a similarity score based on the comparing step, ranking the 3D models based on the similarity score and returning one or more 3D models based on the ranking step. The embodiment further includes generating a representation of the query 3D model, calculating a correlation matching function between the representation of the query 3D model and representations of 3D models in the repository, determining a plurality of matching scores between the query 3D model and the 3D models in the repository for each rotational alignment of the 3D models and selecting the highest score from the plurality of matching scores based on the determining step.
US08686991B2 Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides safe navigation features including tool clustering, orientation indicators in the scene, slider indicating scene position, motion warning graphics and other features that help in navigating the scene.
US08686989B2 Liquid crystal shutter, driving method of the same and image display system
In one embodiment, the liquid crystal shutter is equipped with a first liquid crystal panel in the OCB mode to control the transmissivity of the light entering into left eye and a second liquid crystal panel in the OCB mode to control the transmissivity of the light entering into right eye, and a drive portion to control the transmissivity. The drive portion applies a normal voltage of a normal drive in a pulse shape and a retention voltage having a pulse shape with lower frequency than the normal voltage or lower voltage than normal voltage to the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel. The drive portion switches between the normal drive and the retention drive while maintaining bend alignment state.
US08686988B2 Method for driving electrochemical display element
In the case of depositing a metal in a plurality of stages by applying deposition voltages having a plurality of rectangular waves at different voltages to an electrochemical display element, the application time of the rectangular wave at the highest voltage among the plurality of rectangular waves is set to a time (Tip) required for reaching a resistance inflexion point (Rip) where the resistance value (R) of a pixel starts to rapidly increase or shorter. Thus, the element can be prevented from being broken without deteriorating the response characteristics of a display element.
US08686984B2 Device for placement in front of a display device
A system related to the improvement of the design of display device screens during the off or stand-by state is provided. The system comprises a display device and a device connected to the display device, wherein the device comprises a material having a switchable optical configuration. The display device may e.g. by a TV screen, or any other display such as computer monitors.
US08686983B2 Voltage regulator, voltage regulation method, and liquid crystal display device using the same
A voltage regulator for controlling a reference pulse-voltage comprising a sequence of positive-negative pulses which defines an active range and a dummy range is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes an acquisition unit adapted to receive each pulse of the reference pulse-voltage and determine whether an alteration of the pulse is needed according to a predetermined calculation, and generate a result message when it is determined that an alteration of the voltage pulse is needed, and a voltage control unit adapted to generate an output pulse-voltage corresponding to the reference pulse-voltage. When no result message is generated, the voltage control unit is configured to output an output pulse having the same polarity as that of the received pulse of the reference pulse-voltage, and when the result message is generated, the voltage control unit is configured to output an output pulse having an opposite polarity to that of the received pulse.
US08686981B2 Display brightness control based on ambient light angles
Methods and devices are provided for controlling the brightness of a display for an electronic device based on ambient light conditions. In one embodiment, an electronic device may employ one or more brightness adjustment profiles for changing the brightness of a display based on ambient light levels and/or the angle of incidence of one or more ambient light sources. In certain embodiments, one or more ambient light sensors may be designed to perceive the ambient light level differently based on the angle of incidence of a light source. The perceived ambient light level may then be used to adjust the display brightness based on the one or more brightness adjustment profiles. In other embodiments, one or more ambient light sensors may be designed to detect the angle of incidence of an ambient light source. In these embodiments, the detected angle and the ambient light level may be used to adjust the display brightness.
US08686972B2 Semiconductor device and display device
It is an object to perform imaging a high-resolution image in a display device including a photosensor regardless of the intensity of incident light on the photosensor. A display device including a display panel which is provided a photosensor and having a function of imaging by a change of the sensitivity of the photosensor in accordance with the incident light is provided. The sensitivity of the photosensor is improved when the intensity of the incident light is low, so that the imaging accuracy is improved; therefore, misperception of contact is prevented and an obtained image can be clear.
US08686971B2 Liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel having a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and first and second electrodes formed on a surface side, of the first substrate, facing the second substrate, a transverse electric field being applied to the liquid crystal layer through the first and second electrodes, thereby displaying an image in a pixel area; wherein the first substrate includes: a light receiving element provided on the surface, of the first substrate, facing the second substrate, for receiving an incident light on a light receiving surface thereof, thereby forming data on the received light; and a planarizing film provided on the surface side, of the first substrate, facing the second substrate so as to cover the light receiving element.
US08686967B2 Touch screen panel and method of manufacturing the same
A touch screen panel includes a substrate, a first touch electrode layer including first touch electrodes formed to be divided on regions defined as a pad part, a routing part, and a channel bridge part on the substrate, a soluble insulator layer including soluble insulators formed so as to expose portions of the first touch electrodes, and a second touch electrode layer formed on the soluble insulator layer.
US08686964B2 User specific recognition of intended user interaction with a digitizer
A method and system for recognition of an intended user interaction with a digitizer is provided, the method comprising characterizing an intended user interaction input signals of a specific user, storing at least one characterization criterion from the characterization, and determining if a subsequently detected input signals meets the at least one characterization criterion.
US08686961B2 Electronic apparatus, processing method, and program
An electronic apparatus includes a casing, a movement detection sensor that detects a movement of the casing, an input unit having an input operation surface, a pressing force detection sensor that detects a pressing force applied to the input unit through the input operation surface, and a control unit. The input unit is provided to the casing and capable of detecting an input operation position within the input operation surface. The control unit judges whether one of the pressing force detected and an amount of a change based on the change in the pressing force exceeds a first threshold value, performs a process of an input determination in a case where the one of the pressing force and the amount of the change in the pressing force exceeds the first threshold value, and changes the first threshold value in accordance with a degree of the movement of the casing detected.
US08686955B2 Device, method, and graphical user interface for performing character entry
A method of managing user interface content, including performing character entry without a keyboard, is disclosed. The method includes displaying a character entry area and a character selection indicia, wherein the character selection indicia is displayed at a first predefined location, and the character selection indicia includes locations corresponding to respective characters in a plurality of characters; detecting a point of contact over the character selection indicia; in response to detecting the contact over the character selection indicia, displaying at a second predefined location distinct from the first predefined location a temporary character that represents a character to be selected; while displaying the temporary character, detecting a character selection gesture; and, in response to detecting the character selection gesture, selecting a character corresponding to the temporary character for placement in the character entry area.
US08686954B2 Touch-sensitive display and method of controlling same
Information including a first part of a list is displayed on a touch-sensitive display (118) of a portable electronic device (100). The touch-sensitive display (118) detects (403) a first gesture in a first direction on the touch-sensitive display and scrolls (409, 411) within the information in response to the first gesture. The touch-sensitive display (118) detects (403) a second gesture in a second direction on the touch-sensitive display and displays a second part of (415, 417) the list on the touch-sensitive display in response to the second gesture.
US08686947B2 Finger keypad system and method
Systems and methods for creating a finger keypad using the twelve finger segments of the human hand as a 12-key keypad are presented. In one embodiment, the finger segments are each associated with respective successive keys of a 12-key keypad, and a sensor device worn on the thumb or the wrist detects the thumb of the hand tapping on a selected finger segment and produces an output signal which varies based on which finger segment is tapped. A processor associated with the sensor device converts the output signals to corresponding 12-key values, and the 12-key values are converted to corresponding alpha-numeric values.
US08686943B1 Two-dimensional method and system enabling three-dimensional user interaction with a device
User interaction with a display is detected substantially simultaneously using at least two cameras whose intersecting FOVs define a three-dimensional hover zone within which user interactions can be imaged. Separately and collectively image data is analyzed to identify a relatively few user landmarks. A substantially unambiguous correspondence is established between the same landmark on each acquired image, and a three-dimensional reconstruction is made in a common coordinate system. Preferably cameras are modeled to have characteristics of pinhole cameras, enabling rectified epipolar geometric analysis to facilitate more rapid disambiguation among potential landmark points. Consequently processing overhead is substantially reduced, as are latency times. Landmark identification and position information is convertible into a command causing the display to respond appropriately to a user gesture. Advantageously size of the hover zone can far exceed size of the display, making the invention usable with smart phones as well as large size entertainment TVs.
US08686942B2 Operation input system, control apparatus, handheld apparatus, and operation input method
An operation input system includes a casing and a motion sensor for detecting a movement of the casing inside the casing and calculates a position of the casing in a predetermined space based on an output of the motion sensor. The operation input system includes a position sensor and a correction section. The position sensor directly detects the position of the casing in the predetermined space. The correction section corrects the output of the motion sensor using an output of the position sensor.
US08686941B2 Haptic feedback sensations based on audio output from computer devices
Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc.
US08686937B2 Backlight unit with feedback circuit and driving method using the same
A backlight unit includes: an array unit, wherein the array unit comprises an input terminal, a first output terminal and an array coupled to the input terminal and coupled to the first output terminal, the array including a plurality of light emitting diodes; a switching unit coupled to the input terminal and coupled to the array; and a comparison unit coupled to the first output terminal and coupled to a control unit and operable to compare a reference current with an output current of the first output terminal; wherein the control unit controls the switching unit.
US08686933B2 Liquid crystal display device for improving picture quality and driving method thereof
An LCD device adapted to improve its picture quality in spite of the brightness variation includes: a gray scale modulator modulating R, G, and B data; a backlight dimming controller generating a back dimming signal that is inversely proportional to the modulated R, G, and B data generated in the gray scale modulator; and an over driving controller selectively overshoot-compensating the R, G, and B data from the gray scale modulator in every gray scale level through the comparison of the R, G, and B data of current frame and the R, G, and B data of previous frame, wherein, the modulated R, G, and B data each include maximum gray scale levels lower than those of the overshoot compensated R, G, and B data.
US08686929B2 Organic light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display including: a pixel unit to display an image, according to a data signal and a scan signal; a data driver to supply the data signal, according to a video signal; and a scan driver to supply the scan signal. The data driver includes a memory to store a corrected offset voltage and to control a voltage of the data signal according to the corrected offset voltage.
US08686918B1 Multi-function magnetic pseudo-conductor antennas
An antenna includes a first antenna element comprising a pseudo-conductor material and forming a substantially closed polygonal loop around a center. The first antenna element conforms to a ground plane. The antenna also includes a plurality of transmission lines in the ground plane. Each transmission line comprises a conductor material, is extending radially outward from a feed end towards an outer end, is electromagnetically coupled to the first antenna element at a crossover point at which the transmission line crosses over the first antenna element, and is coupled, at the center, to a corresponding feed line. The antenna further includes a feed circuit for exciting the plurality of transmission lines to cause the antenna to emit in a predetermined direction and using a predetermined polarization mode.
US08686916B2 Loop antenna
A loop antenna includes a parasitic element arranged at a position almost concentric to a loop element and having an opening portion smaller than the half perimeter of the loop element at a position opposite to the feeding point of the loop element.
US08686913B1 Differential vector sensor
The present invention is directed to a system that includes a sensor having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a three-dimensional array. None of the plurality of antenna elements is configured as a loop antenna element. Each of the plurality of antenna elements are configured to provide a sensor output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic field having predetermined characteristics. A processing circuit is coupled to the sensor, the processing circuit being configured to obtain a directional vector to a source of the incident electromagnetic field from the plurality of sensor output signals. The sensor output signals correspond to a plurality of field components of the incident electromagnetic field at a point. The plurality of field components include differential values such that the plurality of field components providing at least nine (9) degrees of freedom (DOFs).
US08686911B2 Beam controller for aperture antenna, and aperture antenna therewith
The present invention relates to an aperture antenna capable of controlling a shape of a radiated beam without changing a structure of an aperture antenna by connecting a beam controller with a single aperture antenna. the aperture antenna including a beam controller according to the present invention includes: a waveguide; an aperture horn of which one end is connected to the waveguide and the other end is provided with an opening; and a beam controller including a feeding unit connected to the opening and provided with a plurality of slits, a dielectric layer connected to the feeding unit, and a plurality of patches connected to the dielectric layer to control a beam shape of a signal introduced into the feeding unit and radiated through the patches.
US08686910B1 Low reflectance radio frequency load
A load for traveling microwave energy has an absorptive volume defined by cylindrical body enclosed by a first end cap and a second end cap. The first end cap has an aperture for the passage of an input waveguide with a rotating part that is coupled to a reflective mirror. The inner surfaces of the absorptive volume consist of a resistive material or are coated with a coating which absorbs a fraction of incident RF energy, and the remainder of the RF energy reflects. The angle of the reflector and end caps is selected such that reflected RF energy dissipates an increasing percentage of the remaining RF energy at each reflection, and the reflected RF energy which returns to the rotating mirror is directed to the back surface of the rotating reflector, and is not coupled to the input waveguide. Additionally, the reflector may have a surface which generates a more uniform power distribution function axially and laterally, to increase the power handling capability of the RF load. The input waveguide may be corrugated for HE11 mode input energy.
US08686909B2 Vault antenna for WLAN or cellular application
A fringe-effect vault antenna includes a communications vault having a non-conductive cover disposed substantially at ground level. An antenna element is positioned in the communications vault. A metallic reflector has an edge, positioned substantially parallel to the ground, where the metallic reflector and the edge are configured to cause an edge diffraction, or “fringe-effect” upon the RF fields of the antenna to cause those RF fields to diffract in a direction toward the ground.
US08686908B2 Wireless function watch
A wireless function watch includes an antenna for receiving a radio wave from outside; a housing for accommodating the antenna; a conductive projecting portion projecting in a planar direction from an inner wall of the housing toward the inside of a watch case; and an opening penetrating the conductive projecting portion vertically so as to improve receiving characteristics of the antenna.
US08686906B2 Microwave antenna assemblies
A microwave antenna assembly includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a conductive layer, a first conductive patch, and a second conductive patch. The conductive layer is disposed in an inner region between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The conductive layer includes a slot. A first conductive patch is surrounded by the slot. The second conductive patch is disposed against the second dielectric layer outside the inner region, and is electromagnetically coupled to the first conductive patch.
US08686903B2 Antenna
An antenna is provided. The antenna includes a ground element, a connection element, a first radiator and a second radiator. The connection element is connected to the ground element. The first radiator is connected to the connection element and extends toward a first direction, wherein the first radiator transmits a first wireless signal. The second radiator is connected to the connection element and extends toward the first direction, wherein the second radiator is parallel to the first radiator, the second radiator transmits a second wireless signal, and a frequency of the first wireless signal is different from a frequency of the second wireless signal, and when the antenna transmits the first and second wireless signals, the first radiator resonates with the second radiator.
US08686901B2 Positioning using a reference station
For supporting a change of a reference station, first data that is valid for a first reference station is provided for transmission to a device, then data that is valid for the first reference station and data that is valid for a second reference station is provided for transmission to the device in parallel for a limited time, and finally data that is valid for the second reference station is provided for transmission to the device. The data for the first reference station and the data for the second reference station include measurements on satellite signals. At a receiving end, the respectively received data can be provided for a positioning of a device comprising a satellite signal receiver.
US08686900B2 Multi-antenna GNSS positioning method and system
A multi-antenna GNSS system and method provide earth-referenced GNSS heading and position solutions. The system and method compensate for partial blocking of the antennas by using a known attitude or orientation of the structure, which can be determined by an orientation device or with GNSS measurements. Multiple receiver units can optionally be provided and can share a common clock signal for processing multiple GNSS signals in unison. The system can optionally be installed on fixed or slow-moving structures, such as dams and marine vessels, and on mobile structures such as terrestrial vehicles and aircraft.
US08686899B2 GNSS smart antenna and receiver system with weatherproof enclosure
A GNSS smart antenna system includes an antenna, a processor and a receiver combination unit adapted for economical construction and enhanced performance when performing differential guidance operations. The antenna unit includes a dual frequency antenna, a dual frequency receiver unit, dual processors, and a radio bay for receiving a radio device. Rover and base smart antenna units are interchangeable in the system.
US08686897B2 Pixel data generating device, image display device, radar apparatus, method of generating pixel data and pixel data generating program
The disclosed device generates a plurality of pixel data in an XY coordinate system. The pixel data includes first pixel data generated on a first sweep line, according to a distance from a transmitting source, based on an echo of a detection signal from the source toward a first direction, and second pixel data generated on a second sweep line, according to a distance from the source, based on an echo of a detection signal from the source toward a second direction different from the first direction. The device includes a module for converting the first and second pixel data into data in the XY coordinate system, a module for generating pixel data of an interpolation target pixel located between a first pixel as an observing pixel on an interpolation axis parallel to X-axis or Y-axis and a second pixel as a corresponding pixel on the same interpolation axis, based on the pixel data on the first and second sweep lines.
US08686894B2 Radar imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program thereof
A radar imaging apparatus includes: (i) a delay code generation unit which repeats, for M scan periods, scan processing of generating, using a transmission code, N delay codes in a scan period for scanning N range gates having mutually different distances from the radar imaging apparatus; (ii) a signal storage unit which stores, in association with a range gate and a scan period, a baseband signal; (iii) a memory control unit which repeatedly writes, in the signal storage unit, for the M scan periods, N demodulated signals corresponding to a single scan period, and reads out a group of M demodulated signals corresponding to mutually different scan periods; (iv) a Doppler frequency discrimination unit which performs frequency analysis on demodulated signals having the same range gate; and (v) a direction of arrival calculation unit which estimates a direction of a target.
US08686890B2 Customizable remote control device
A remote controller for controlling a remote unit includes a stationary button assigned to a first function of the remote unit, and a first flexible button assigned to a second function of the remote unit and configured to be addable to or removable from the remote controller. The remote controller may further include a base, a membrane layer mountable on the base, the membrane layer including the stationary button and a first flexible button base, a first flexible button cap mountable on the first flexible button base to form the first flexible button, and a first face mountable on the membrane layer and having a first opening pattern exposing the stationary button and the first flexible button.
US08686888B2 Complementary switched capacitor amplifier for pipelined ADCs and other applications
The present disclosure is directed to a switched capacitor amplifier that includes a switched capacitor network and a complementary push-pull amplifier. The switched capacitor amplifier of the present disclosure can provide a larger fraction of the charge provided by a power supply and flowing through the amplifier to a capacitive load at the output of the amplifier compared to switched capacitor amplifiers that use single-ended class-A amplifiers. The switched capacitor amplifier of the present disclosure can be used in a converter stage of a pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to improve the ADC's power efficiency and/or bandwidth. It can be further generalized to be used in other applications other than pipelined ADCs.
US08686883B2 Codebook for multiple user multiple input multiple output system and communication device using the codebook
Disclosed are a Multiple User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) codebook design method, and a communication device using the codebook. A MU-MIMO codebook design method includes analyzing beam patterns of candidate vectors included in a predetermined candidate codebook, and eliminating at least one of the candidate vectors based on the beam patterns of the candidate vectors to generate the MU-MIMO codebook for a MU-MIMO system being comprised of the remaining vectors.
US08686881B1 Efficient estimation of data compression ratios
Machines, systems and methods for compression ratio estimation are provided. The method comprises selecting a plurality of sample points in a data stream to compress sample data selected at said sample points according to a first compression method; and computing an average compression ratio contribution over the selected plurality of sample points, wherein compression ratio contribution of a sample point is determined based on the first compression method and data in locality of the sample point, and wherein the locality for the sample point is defined by locations in the data stream, such that said locations potentially affect the sample point's contribution to the compression ratio.
US08686879B2 Graphical display for munition release envelope
A method and module for displaying a munition release envelope.
US08686877B2 Directionally filtered indicator light
The present disclosure provides a directionally filtered indicator light, wherein a directional filter is applied to a light source that is controlled to emit light when a condition or series of conditions are met. The directional filter, in turn, regulates the transmission of light from the light source so that a first group of individuals, located within a viewing angle, are the only individuals able to see the transmitted light. In one example, the directionally filtered indicator light of the present disclosure allows an indicator light on the interior of a passenger aircraft to be viewed from outside the aircraft in direct sunlight while substantially eliminating the presence of transmitted light from a passenger seating area.
US08686874B2 Corner sensor assembly
A corner sensor assembly includes a housing having at least one magnet attached thereto, wherein the magnets allow the corner sensor assembly to be readily attached and relocated to corner structures within a building. The assembly includes at least one motion sensor for detecting motion within two opposing fields of monitoring. At least one visual indicator is activated when the motion sensors detect motion within both fields of monitoring and are deactivated when no motion is sensed in at least one of the fields of monitoring. The assembly includes an integrated power supply located within the housing.
US08686870B2 Physical layer management for interconnect configurations using RFID chip technology
An intelligent physical layer management system is provided that includes active electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical assemblies, cables, and software that guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in an interconnect patching environment. RFID tag integrated chips are used to identify which switch port a patch cord is plugged into. The system is capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. In addition, the system can map the patch field in interconnect configurations.
US08686864B2 Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the presence of an intoxicated driver and controlling the operation of a vehicle
An apparatus, system, and method for detecting an intoxicated driver of a vehicle and preventing operation of the vehicle are presented. In one embodiment, a detector module comprises a sensor that produces an electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined blood alcohol content of the driver. The blood alcohol content of the driver is determined by sampling the alcohol content of the air within a predetermined vehicle zone. A control module is coupled to the detector module to control at least one vehicle operations in response to the electrical signal from the detector module. In another embodiment, a cell phone contains the detector module and is wirelessly coupled to the control module. A vehicle status module is included in some embodiments.
US08686863B2 System and process for detecting a febrile condition
The invention is directed to a system and process for estimating a core body temperature of a human subject. The system includes mount, a body, and a heat trap having a temperature sensor. The mount is operable to secure the device to a toilet or adjacent surface. The body houses a microprocessor. The heat trap is distal to the body and is shaped to receive a liquid stream and contain the thermal energy therein. The heat trap comprises a low thermally conductive material. The temperature sensor is in communication with the microprocessor. The temperature sensor is associated with the heat trap and disposed proximate a surface of said heat trap, wherein the liquid stream is directed across said temperature sensor. The system optionally incorporates a process and memory to store input of the temperature sensor and associate the input with a person, compare the input to historical records for a person, and determine a febrile condition for the person based on the input.
US08686862B2 System for monitoring running steps
Systems and methods of monitoring a running step and signaling the runner when a correction is desired. In one aspect, the portion of the foot that contacts the ground first is monitored to determine if a correction is desired. To monitor the running step, a step analyzing apparatus can be used that is positioned within a shoe. The step analyzing apparatus can include sensors that are positioned at the midfoot and the heal when the apparatus is within the shoe. To signal the runner, an indicator can be used that is positioned within the shoe or outside the shoe. The step analyzing apparatus can also be used in a ski boot to monitor proper ski form. Running cadence can also be monitored to determine if a correction is desired.
US08686857B2 Wireless tag collective reading device, and network article management system
A wireless tag collective reading device of this invention comprises a rack to store the wireless-tag-equipped articles which are mounted on the wireless-tag-equipped article by printing a chip portion and an antenna portion connected to the chip portion, the chip portion emitting tag information in response to electromagnetic waves, and an antenna unit which applies, to the wireless-tag-equipped articles stored in the rack, electromagnetic waves for the emission of the tag information, and receives electromagnetic waves for the tag information emitted from the wireless tag, wherein the device controls the directivity, intensity, and phase of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna unit to apply the electromagnetic waves to the wireless-tag-equipped article at a given position stored in the rack, controls the relative positions of the antenna unit and the rack, and reads the tag information from a signal received by the antenna unit.
US08686856B2 Anti-theft device for containers of fluid products
An anti-theft device for containers of fluid products comprising: a support element (3) connected to a container (2) to be monitored and attached to the inside of a neck (6) of container (2), between the neck (6) itself and a closure member (11) which is irremovably attached to container (2); and a circuit (7) at least partially housed in said support element (3) to receive an enquiry signal (S1) and to generate a corresponding response signal (S2).
US08686855B2 Embedded RFID recorder in short-range wireless devices
The invention relates to a portable communications device. The invention further relates to its use of and to a method of operating it. The object of the present invention is to facilitate adaptation of a communications device to its present environment, e.g. to facilitate spectrum sharing in short range communication devices. The problem is solved in that the portable communications device comprises a wireless communications interface for communicating with another device, a memory and an RFID-recorder for receiving an RFID-signal transmitted from an RFID-interrogator, wherein the device is adapted for storing individual received RFID-signals in the memory. An advantage of the invention is that it provides a relatively simple scheme for extracting information from a current environment of a portable communications device. The invention may e.g. be used for adapting listening devices, e.g. hearing instruments, headphones, or head sets to local, e.g. country specific, conditions or to operate in an efficient way under given interference conditions.
US08686853B2 System and method for group search-based lost bag search and recovery
A system and a method are disclosed for group search-based lost bag search and recovery. In one embodiment of the invention, the system for group search-based lost bag search and recovery includes a bag/luggage information database and a lost bag group search organizer system, which can identify and organize search groups for lost bag search and recovery based on geographic proximity of search agent devices or a common theme. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this system is operatively connected to a plurality of devices, such as a consumer's device, a ticket agent's device, a regulatory information database, and one or more search agent devices categorized by search groups. In one example, the one or more search agent devices integrate mobile applications, which detect an electrically-identifiable bag wirelessly within a defined perimeter and report back to the lost bag group search organizer system.
US08686851B2 System and method for rapid location of an alarm condition
A method of notifying a clinician of an alarm condition for a patient including the steps of receiving notice of the alarm condition, identifying a location of the patient, identifying a location of the clinician, calculating guidance information based on the location of the clinician and the location of the patient, and providing the guidance information to a clinician using a portable notification device. The method may further include the steps of identifying a direction and/or an orientation of the clinician, and calculating and displaying the guidance information based on the direction and/or orientation of the clinician.
US08686850B2 Wireless earthquake alarm based on mems accelerometers
The disclosure relates to detecting seismic movements and providing at least one alarm notification based on the detected seismic movement. Particularly, a sensor device, which may be positioned in a subterranean part of a structure, may detect a seismic movement. The sensor device may make a determination as to whether the received seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold, the sensor device may transmit an alarm notification to one or more alarm devices, which may be located within the structure, indicating the seismic movement. The alarm device(s) may provide an alarm, notifying people in the structure of the seismic movement. This may provide an opportunity for the people to leave the structure before the seismic movement reaches the structure.
US08686846B2 Tire condition monitoring system
The tire condition of each tire of a vehicle is detected, which information is transmitted by means of electromagnetic waves from the tire condition acquisition devices to a monitoring device that receives the electromagnetic waves transmitted from tire condition acquisition devices via a receiving antenna, which monitoring device contains means for displaying the electric field intensity of the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the tire condition acquisition devices. Thus, the electric field intensity at a mounting position can easily be determined when mounting the receiving antenna, enabling easy discovery of the optimal location for mounting the receiving antenna.
US08686839B2 Closed-loop haptic or other tactile feedback system for mobile devices, touch screen devices, and other devices
A system includes an actuator configured to generate vibrations for creating tactile feedback to a user. The system also includes a sensor configured to measure the vibrations generated by the actuator. The system further includes a tactile feedback system configured to drive the actuator in order to generate the vibrations. The tactile feedback system is configured to adjust the driving of the actuator in response to measurements from the sensor. The actuator could include a motor configured to drive an eccentric mass, and the sensor could include an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope. Among other things, the tactile feedback system could be configured to over-drive a motor of the actuator until the measurements from the sensor indicate that vibrations are detected by the sensor and to back-drive the motor of the actuator until the measurements from the sensor indicate that no vibrations are detected by the sensor.
US08686838B1 Virtualizing the operation of intelligent network interface circuitry
The present invention is in the field of virtualization of Network Interface Cards and Controllers (NIC) that connect to for example a host computer that can have multiple functions and OS's (referred to as guest functions and guest-OS's) running on it simultaneously and, in particular, relates to the virtualization of the operation of a single NIC such that it can be used simultaneously by multiple guests in such a manner that memory references due to the network traffic originating from and destined to a particular guest is kept separate from other network traffic, and that allows the Media Access Controller (MAC) within the NIC to operate such that it only accepts network packets that are destined to one of the guest-functions or guest-OS's, and the MAC is not required to operate in promiscuous mode where it accepts all incoming packets in order to implement the virtualization features.
US08686836B2 Fast block write using an indirect memory pointer
A fast block write command includes providing an RFID tag having a memory, and using a stored address pointer to point to a known address in the memory, wherein the stored address pointer points to a starting address at a known safe block in the memory. The method is performed without an intermediate buffer. The received data is written to the known safe block and a cyclic redundancy check is computed on the received data. If the cyclic redundancy check matches, the received data is retained and the stored address pointer is updated. If the cyclic redundancy check does not match, the stored address pointer is kept for a future write operation. Further block writes can be disallowed after an initial successful block write.
US08686835B2 Baggage arrangement management method and carrying apparatus
A baggage arrangement management method includes acquiring information for identifying a collection place of an arrangement destination from a RFID tag of an arrangement target piece of baggage, acquiring information for identifying a collection place at which baggage is arranged from an RFID tag of the piece of baggage lastly arranged at the collection place, and comparing the two pieces of information to confirm the collection place. Information of identifying each piece of baggage arranged at the collection place is cumulatively recorded in the RFID tags of the subsequent pieces of baggage arranged next to the place.
US08686833B2 Control system including electronic control apparatus and sensor apparatuses bus-connected to electronic control apparatus
The control system has a structure in which sensor apparatuses each having a data communication function are connected to an electronic control apparatus through a common communication line, and the sensors of the sensor apparatuses are connected to the electronic control apparatus through separate individual signal lines to transmit sensor signals to the electronic control apparatus. The electronic control apparatus is configured to, prior to transmitting communication data to one of the sensor apparatuses through the communication line, set the signal line connected to the selected sensor apparatus in a state in which the voltage of the signal line is outside a variation range corresponding to a voltage range of the sensor signal, and set the signal lines connected to the other sensor apparatuses to each of which the communication data is not addressed in a state in which the voltage of the signal line is within the variation range.
US08686828B2 Resistor and method for making same
A metal strip resistor is provided. The metal strip resistor includes a metal strip forming a resistive element and providing support for the metal strip resistor without use of a separate substrate. There are first and second opposite terminations overlaying the metal strip. There is plating on each of the first and second opposite terminations. There is also an insulating material overlaying the metal strip between the first and second opposite terminations. A method for forming a metal strip resistor wherein a metal strip provides support for the metal strip resistor without use of a separate substrate is provided. The method includes coating an insulative material to the metal strip, applying a lithographic process to form a conductive pattern overlaying the resistive material wherein the conductive pattern includes first and second opposite terminations, electroplating the conductive pattern, and adjusting resistance of the metal strip.
US08686823B2 Electronic unit
An electronic unit includes a double-sided substrate having an insulation substrate, a patterned first metal plate bonded on one side of the insulation substrate, and a patterned second metal plate bonded on the other side of the insulation substrate, and also includes a heat radiation member for releasing heat from the double-sided substrate. The heat radiation member is disposed adjacent to one of the first metal plate and the second metal plate generating a larger amount of heat than the other of the first metal plate and the second metal plate.
US08686816B2 MEMS element and method of manufacturing the same
A MEMS element of an aspect of the present invention including a first electrode provided on a substrate, a second electrode which is provided above the first electrode and which is driven toward the first electrode, an anchor provided on the substrate, a beam which supports the second electrode in midair, one end of the beam being connected to the anchor and the beam including a sidewall part provided at its end in the width direction, the sidewall part having a downward-facing protrusion.
US08686815B2 Apparatus of modular trip mechanism and auxiliary mechanism for circuit breaker
An apparatus of modular trip mechanism and auxiliary mechanism for a circuit breaker comprises an auxiliary mechanism module including a first micro switch to output an electrical signal indicating an ON/OFF position of the circuit breaker, a first shaft contact lever mechanism to operate the first micro switch by contacting the switching shaft or receiving an artificial pressing force, a second micro switch to output an electrical signal indicating whether a trip operation of the circuit breaker has been performed, and a second lever to operate the second micro switch by contacting the switching shaft or receiving an artificial pressing force; and a trip mechanism module including an electromagnetic trip device to operate a trip bar to trigger the circuit breaker to a trip position in response to a trip control signal from an overcurrent relay or a test trip control signal from a test signal generating source.
US08686813B2 Monolithically integrated active electronic circuit and waveguide structure for terahertz frequencies
An electronic system. The electronic system includes a waveguide structure having a first waveguide-coupling point and a second waveguide-coupling point and an active electronic circuit having a first circuit-coupling point and a second circuit-coupling point. The second waveguide-coupling point is coupled to the first circuit-coupling point; the system is capable of receiving an input signal at the first waveguide-coupling point and transmitting an output signal at the second circuit-coupling point and/or receiving the input signal at the second circuit-coupling point and transmitting the output signal at the first waveguide-coupling point; the input signal and the output signal have frequencies in a terahertz frequency range; and the system is fabricated as a monolithic integrated structure having the waveguide structure fabricated by micromachining and the circuit fabricated monolithically.
US08686804B2 Orthogonally referenced integrated ensemble for navigation and timing
An orthogonally referenced integrated ensemble for navigation and timing includes a dual-polyhedral oscillator array, including an outer sensing array of oscillators and an inner clock array of oscillators situated inside the outer sensing array. The outer sensing array includes a first pair of sensing oscillators situated along a first axis of the outer sensing array, a second pair of sensing oscillators situated along a second axis of the outer sensing array, and a third pair of sensing oscillators situated along a third axis of the outer sensing array. The inner clock array of oscillators includes a first pair of clock oscillators situated along a first axis of the inner clock array, a second pair of clock oscillators situated along a second axis of the inner clock array, and a third pair of clock oscillators situated along a third axis of the inner clock array.
US08686801B2 Power supply and DC-DC-conversion
In an embodiment of a converter, a first oscillator provides switching signals for switching between charging and discharging of a capacitor, and a second oscillator is configured to add an offset voltage or a feedback-current-dependent voltage to a sawtooth waveform generated by the second oscillator switched in synchronism with the first oscillator.
US08686799B2 Low noise wide range voltage-controlled oscillator with transistor feedback
An integrated circuit, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a phase-locked loop (PLL). In one embodiment, the VCO includes: (1) a voltage tune line configured to receive a tuning voltage for the VCO and (2) an odd number of ring-coupled delay elements. Each of the delay elements includes: (2A) an inverter having a power supply line being coupled to the voltage tune line and (2B) a feedback path having a gain-attenuating transistor with a gate thereof being coupled to the voltage tune line.
US08686789B2 Transient signal suppression for a class-D audio amplifier arrangement
A Class-D amplifier arrangement is disclosed that implements an auxiliary feedback loop and a primary feedback loop. The auxiliary feedback loop operates upon an input signal when the Class-D amplifier arrangement is operating under a power-up condition and a power-down condition so that a modulated signal is confined within the auxiliary feedback loop during the power-up condition and the power-down condition. The confinement of the modulated signal within the auxiliary feedback loop during the power-up condition and the power-down condition diverts transient signals coupled onto the modulated signal from an output device. The primary feedback loop operates upon the input signal when the Class-D amplifier arrangement is operating under a normal condition so that the modulated signal is introduced to the output device during the normal condition.
US08686786B2 Semiconductor device and method for driving the same
A semiconductor device includes: a first driving voltage generation unit configured to generate a first driving voltage; a fuse unit coupled between an output node for receiving the first driving voltage and a fuse state sensing node; a driving unit configured to drive the fuse state sensing node with a second driving voltage in response to a control signal; a voltage level control unit configured to generate a voltage level control signal in response to a fuse state sensing signal that corresponds to a voltage level of the fuse state sensing node; and a second driving voltage generation unit configured to control and output a voltage level of the second driving voltage in response to the voltage level control signal. The semiconductor device repeatedly performs a rupture operation by monitoring a fuse state sensing signal.
US08686784B2 Voltage level shifter
A level shifter includes a latch supplied at a first voltage, and first and second series connections of first and second switch elements and first and second biased elements in series with first and second branches of the latch respectively. Third and fourth switch elements are connected in parallel with the first and second series connections respectively. The input signal, at a voltage different from the first voltage, activates the third or fourth switch element during a transition period after a change of state of the input signal one way or the other to change the state of the latch, and deactivates the third or fourth switch element and activates the first or second switch element to maintain the state of the latch during a stabilization period following the transition period. The transition periods are shortened, reducing current consumption and transfer delay times.
US08686783B2 Level shifter and boost driving circuit
A level shifter and an associated booster driving circuit are provided. The level shifter includes an input stage and an output stage. The input stage includes an input switch, which receives an input signal and is selectively turned on according to the input signal. The output stage outputs a gate driving signal. The gate driving signal is at a low logic level when the input switch is turned on, and is at a high logic level when the input switch is turned off. The logic level of the input signal is substantially the same as the logic level of the gate driving signal.
US08686778B2 Integrated pulse-control and enable latch circuit
The described embodiments provide a configurable clock circuit. The clock circuit includes a control and enable circuit and a clock distribution circuit. During operation, when a signal on an enable input to the control and enable circuit is asserted and the control and enable circuit is configured in a clock mode, the control and enable circuit generates an enable signal on a control output to enable a signal on a clock input to propagate through the clock distribution circuit to the clock output. Alternatively, when a signal on the enable input to the control and enable circuit is asserted and the control and enable circuit is configured in a pulse mode, the control and enable circuit generates a pulsed control signal on the control output to control a length of a pulse generated from the clock input on a clock output by the clock distribution circuit.
US08686776B2 Phase rotator based on voltage referencing
A phase rotator based on voltage referencing is disclosed. A voltage signal is generated that is proportional to the phase difference between two input signals. The voltage signal is then used as the upper voltage limit for a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC is programmable via an input vector to generate a DAC output. The DAC output is used to generate a phase rotated (phase shifted) output, which is at an intermediate phase between the two input signals.
US08686775B2 Piecewise linear phase interpolator
In one embodiment, a phase interpolator with a phase range of n degrees, where 0m; and for each of the k sections, select a relative gain of one or more weights assigned to the one or more reference signals, respectively, with respect to the control code provided by the control signal.
US08686770B2 Digital phase locked loop with feedback loops
Designs of devices having digital phase locked loop (DPLL) circuits that include multiple digital feedback loops to generate high frequency clock signals by a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). A time-to-digital converter (TDC) module is provided in such a DPLL circuit to receive an input reference clock signal and a first feedback clock signal from a first digital feedback loop and produces a digital TDC output indicative of a first phase error caused by a difference in time between the input reference clock signal and the first feedback clock signal. A second digital feedback loop is provided to generate a second digital feedback signal indicative of a second phase error caused by a difference in frequency between a desired clock signal and a generated clock signal generated by the DCO. The first and second digital feedback loops are coupled to the DCO to generate the high frequency clock signals.
US08686763B2 Receiver circuit
A receiver circuit includes a buffering unit configured to buffer an input signal and generate a buffering signal; a variation detection unit configured to generate a control signal according to a level of a reference voltage; a driving unit configured to drive the buffering signal and generate an output signal; and a compensation unit configured to control a slew rate of the output signal in response to the control signal.
US08686759B2 Bi-directional channel amplifier
An AUX channel amplifier for amplifying data in the AUX channel of a Display Port device. In some embodiments, the amplifier includes a first amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from a source to a sink and a second amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from the sink to the source. A slicer can be utilized to digitize the signal from the source. In some embodiments, a clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the source and a second clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the sink. A controller determine the direction of data flow and enables the first amplifier or the second amplifier accordingly.
US08686757B2 Apparatus and method for selectively enabling and disabling a squelch circuit across AHCI and SATA power states
An apparatus and a method are provided for selectively enabling and disabling a squelch circuit in a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) host or SATA device while maintaining proper operation of the host and device. An apparatus and method are provided which allow the squelch circuit to be selectively enabled and disabled across SATA power states (PHY Ready, Partial, and Slumber) and in Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) Listen mode.
US08686753B1 Partial reconfiguration and in-system debugging
Embedded logic is implemented in a partially reconfigurable programmable logic device (PLD), thus allowing debugging of implemented instantiations of logic after partial reconfiguration. Several instantiations of logic are received at the PLD. One instantiation of logic is implemented in a reconfigurable region of logic within the PLD. The instantiation of logic includes a port that provides a constant interface between the reconfigurable region of logic and a fixed region of logic within the PLD. The port may receive signals from probe points implemented within the reconfigurable region of logic. The port may provide the signals to a signal interface implemented within a fixed region of logic. Furthermore, an embedded logic analyzer may be implemented in either the reconfigurable region of logic or the fixed region of logic. The embedded logic analyzer receives signals from the probe points and provides signal visibility to an external computing system.
US08686752B2 Low-current logic plus driver circuit
A circuit includes a logic stage, an inverter stage, and a driver stage. The logic stage and the inverter stage are provided with current limiters, which include a D-mode feedback transistor and a component that generates a voltage drop. A feedback loop connects the source and the gate of the D-mode feedback transistor via this component. The driver stage includes E-mode transistors connected in a totem pole that drive a D-mode transistor and an E-mode transistor to connect and disconnect the load circuit.
US08686751B2 Analog processor comprising quantum devices
Analog processors for solving various computational problems are provided. Such analog processors comprise a plurality of quantum devices, arranged in a lattice, together with a plurality of coupling devices. The analog processors further comprise bias control systems each configured to apply a local effective bias on a corresponding quantum device. A set of coupling devices in the plurality of coupling devices is configured to couple nearest-neighbor quantum devices in the lattice. Another set of coupling devices is configured to couple next-nearest neighbor quantum devices. The analog processors further comprise a plurality of coupling control systems each configured to tune the coupling value of a corresponding coupling device in the plurality of coupling devices to a coupling. Such quantum processors further comprise a set of readout devices each configured to measure the information from a corresponding quantum device in the plurality of quantum devices.
US08686744B2 Precision measurement of capacitor mismatch
Circuitry and methods for measuring capacitive mismatch with improved precision. The capacitors under measurement are connected in series in a voltage divider, with the node common to both capacitors connected to the gate of a source follower transistor. In one disclosed embodiment of the invention, a ramped voltage is applied to the drain of the source follower transistor simultaneously with the ramped voltage applied to the voltage divider; the slope of the ramped drain voltage is at the nominal slope of the voltage at the common node of the voltage divider. In another embodiment, a second transistor in saturation has its gate coupled to the source of the source follower device, and its source connected to the drain of the source follower device in series with a constant voltage drop. The drain-to-source voltage of the source follower device is thus held constant in each embodiment, improving precision of the measurement.
US08686742B2 Method and system for testing wind turbine plants
The present invention relates to a method and a system for on-site and full-scale testing of wind turbine plants. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a system applying resonance circuits tuned with the fundamental frequency, or harmonics thereof, of a power supply grid connected to a wind turbine plant to be tested. The wind turbine plant to be tested may remain connected to the power supply grid during on-site and full-scale testing.
US08686741B2 Excessive noise ratio deriving device, noise figure deriving device, method, program, and recording medium
A noise figure deriving device is provided to precisely obtain the noise figure (NF) of a receiver. The noise figure deriving device includes a first NF deriving unit that derives a first noise figure, which is a noise figure when a predetermined receiver-side pin pin1R is connected to a receiver, based on a ratio Y of one power to the other power of two types of reference noise. The noise figure deriving device also includes a second NF deriving unit that derives a second noise figure, which is a noise figure when receiver-side pins pin2R, pin3R, and pin4R are connected to the receiver, based on an inter-measurement-device-side-terminal difference and the first noise figure. The inter-measurement-device-side-terminal difference is a difference between the first noise figure and the second noise figure.
US08686735B2 Input device receiver path and transmitter path error diagnosis
An input device comprises a processing system coupled with a plurality of receiver paths. The processing system comprises a first capacitor and a bypass switch. The first capacitor is configured to be selectively coupled with the plurality of receiver paths. The bypass switch is configured for bypassing the first capacitor. The processing system is configured to selectively couple a first receiver path of the plurality of receiver paths with the first capacitor; acquire a measurement of a first resulting signal from at least one of the first receiver path or a second receiver path of the plurality of receiver paths while the first receiver path is coupled with the first capacitor and while the bypass switch is not bypassing the first capacitor; and determine whether the first receiver path is ohmically coupled with the second receiver path based on the measurement of the first resulting signal.
US08686731B2 Tracking positions of personnel, vehicles, and inanimate objects
A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described.
US08686729B2 NMR reaction monitoring flow cell
A monitoring cell, used to perform a measurement in an NMR spectrometer of a reaction fluid produced by a reaction vessel, has a body having inlet and outlet transport coaxial capillaries for transporting the reaction fluid between the body and the reaction vessel. Cooling lines are also positioned coaxially with the transport capillaries to transport cooling liquid between the body and the reaction vessel. The cell further has a hollow sample probe for insertion into the NMR spectrometer and a coupler section that removably connects the sample probe to the body so that the inlet transport capillary extends through the body into the interior of the sample probe and the outlet transport capillary is sealed to the sample probe to allow reaction fluid that enters the sample probe via the inlet transport capillary to exit the sample probe via the outlet transport capillary.
US08686727B2 CEST MRI methods for imaging of metabolites and the use of same as biomarkers
The CEST effect for various neurotransmitters and energy metabolites in the brain and muscles and various endogenous metabolites in the liver, brain, and myocardium are imaged using MR imaging to illustrate a unique CEST effect that may be used to monitor the concentration of the metabolite and hence to characterize and monitor various disease states in the body correlated to the concentration of that metabolite. By adjusting the timing, amplitude, and length of the RF pulse as well as other parameters of the CEST pulse sequence to address the unique chemical shifts and exchange rates of the target, new targets with unique characteristics may be acquired using CEST MR imaging.
US08686718B2 Magnetic shutter blade position sensing method
The instant invention senses shutter blade position indirectly by sensing the position of rotor(s) driving the shutter blade in an electromagnetically driven actuator system. It generally comprehends systems where a plurality of rotors each drive respective blades of a shutter such that the position of each of the rotors is indicative of the position of their respective shutter blades, and combines such systems with non-optical sensors responsive to the rotors which signal the position of the shutter blades based on the position of the rotors. The non-optical sensors used are preferably responsive to the magnetic fields produced by the rotors, and can be advantageously positioned adjacent stator poles associated with the rotors, which stator poles are associated with the open or closed positions of the shutter blades. The sensors are preferably Hall Effect (Hall IC) sensors producing voltages proportionate to and greatest when the pole of a magnet is proximate the Hall Effect sensor. Thus, the system can be arranged with sensors adjacent stator poles associated with a closed blade/shutter configuration, or arranged with sensors adjacent stator poles associated with an open blade/shutter configuration, so that the voltage signal produced is highest/lowest for either a closed/open shutter condition or the opposite.
US08686716B2 Electrical current and/or voltage sensor with a screening element for a source electrode and electrical field sensor
A current or voltage sensor for use with a busbar has a support body having a proximal end juxtaposed with the busbar and a distal end spaced therefrom and a U-shaped conducting bar in the proximal end and having a pair of arms having free ends transversely engaging the busbar. A Rogowski coil in the proximal end is juxtaposed with the U-shaped conducting bar. A grounded screening element at the distal end is conductive and forms a chamber open toward the U-shape conducting bar. A source electrode has a proximal end engaging the U-shaped conducting bar outside the first chamber and a distal end in the chamber. An electrical field sensor in the first chamber is juxtaposed with the distal end of the source electrode.
US08686715B1 Impedance compensation method for giant magneto-impedance magnetic sensors to null out the terrestrial residual magnetic field
The invention is a method, described with the appropriate auxiliary electronic circuitry, for compensating the effect of the earth's magnetic field on Giant Magneto-Impedance magnetic sensors. The method as taught is an alternate way of cancelling out the effect of the very large residual earth's magnetic field using an impedance-tuning circuit (i.e. electrical compensation) rather than the usual magnetic type of compensation.
US08686697B2 DC voltage booster apparatus
A DC voltage booster apparatus includes a booster coil, a first capacitor, a switching device, and a second capacitor. The booster coil includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the booster coil is connected to a DC power supply source. The second end of the booster coil is connected to a rectifier diode. The first capacitor is connected between the rectifier diode and a ground. The first capacitor includes a smoothing capacitor. The switching device is disposed between the second end of the booster coil and the ground. The second capacitor is connected in parallel with the rectifier diode.
US08686696B2 DC-DC converter and semiconductor device
A DC-DC converter includes a power conversion portion including a switching element; a first resistor having one terminal electrically connected to the power conversion portion; a second resistor having one terminal electrically connected to the other terminal of the first resistor; a third resistor having one terminal electrically connected to the other terminal of the first resistor; a constant current supply electrically connected to the other terminal of the third resistor; and a control circuit electrically connected to the other terminal of the third resistor and configured to control the switching element. Resistance R1 of the first resistor, resistance R2 of the second resistor, resistance R3 of the third resistor, a reference current Iref output from the constant current supply, and an output voltage Vout output from the power conversion portion satisfy a following formula: { ( 1 + R 3 R 2 ) · R 1 + R 3 } · I ref > - V out .
US08686693B2 Systems and methods for scalable configurations of intelligent energy storage packs
A system and method for scalable configuration of intelligent energy storage packs are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method comprises providing a first current measurement of a first energy storage cell electrically connected to a first converter circuit, and the first converter circuit controls the charge and discharge of the first energy storage cell. A first voltage measurement of the first energy storage cell is provided. First control signals are received and the first control signals are determined according to a load policy. The first converter circuit transforms a first voltage from the first energy storage cell to a desired first bus contribution voltage according to the first control signals.
US08686690B2 Method of charging battery pack and battery pack
A method of charging a battery pack that can prevent a battery or an external power source from being damaged due to a trickle charge current in order to improve battery safety, and the battery itself. The method of charging the battery pack includes determining whether a charge current exists, determining whether the charge current and a charge voltage are changed if determined that the charge current exists, determining whether the charge current is changed from a first current level to a second current level less than the first current level, and a present voltage level of the battery is less than a former voltage level if determined that the charge current and the charge voltage are changed, and maintaining the charge current at the second current level for a predetermined maintenance time if determined that the present voltage level of the battery is less than the former voltage level.
US08686688B2 Portable charging apparatus for mobile communication terminal, charging method thereof, and charging system
A portable charging apparatus, charging method and system for charging a battery of a mobile communication terminal are provided. The portable charging apparatus includes a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface connected to an external charging device, a second USB interface connected to a mobile communication terminal, and a switch located between data lines for USB communication. The method includes determining whether the portable charging apparatus is connected to the external charging device, switching on the switch when the portable charging apparatus is not connected to the external charging device, and determining whether the portable charging apparatus is connected to the mobile communication terminal, and supplying electric power from an additional battery of the portable charging apparatus to the mobile communication terminal when the portable charging apparatus is connected to the mobile communication terminal.
US08686684B2 Magnetic inductive charging with low far fields
A charging station wirelessly transmits power to mobile electronic devices (MEDs) each having a planar-shaped receiver coil (RC) and a capacitor connected in parallel across the RC. The station includes a planar charging surface, a number of series-interconnected bank A source coils (SCs), a number of series-interconnected bank B SCs, and electronics for energizing the SCs. Each SC generates a flux field perpendicular to the charging surface. The bank A and bank B SCs are interleaved and alternately energized in a repeating duty cycle. The coils in each bank are also alternately wound in a different direction so that the fields cancel each other out in a far-field environment. Whenever an MED is placed in close proximity to the charging surface, the fields wirelessly induce power in the RC. The MEDs can have any two-dimensional orientation with respect to the charging surface.
US08686680B2 Dual-motor series elastic actuator
Certain embodiments of a system for reducing backlash include a member geared for rotation in first and second directions. In various implementations, a first motor causes rotation in the first direction with an output biased to preclude space between mating gear components in the first direction, and a second motor, which is mechanically independent of the first motor, causes rotation in the second direction with an output biased to preclude space between mating gear components in the second direction.
US08686675B2 Power tool
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power tool including: a motor; a switching device that switches over, in response to a conduction angle thereof, an AC voltage to be applied to the motor; a rotation speed setting unit that sets a target rotation speed of the motor; a rotation speed detection unit that detects an actual rotation speed of the motor; and a controller that determines the conduction angle by comparing the actual rotation speed with the target rotation speed and that controls the switching device by use of the conduction angle based on a maximum conduction angle, the maximum conduction angle being set in accordance with the target rotation speed.
US08686671B2 Method for compensating nonlinearity of resolver for hybrid and fuel cell vehicles
The present invention provides a method for compensating nonlinearity of a resolver to control a motor in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, thereby stably controlling the motor current during high-torque and high-speed operation. In preferred aspects, the present invention provides a method for compensating nonlinearity of a resolver to control a motor in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, the method including collecting resolver position data; determining whether to perform resolver position correction in the corresponding vehicle; and compensating nonlinearity of the resolver based on the collected resolver position data, if it is determined that the resolver position correction is not performed.
US08686665B2 Method and system for lighting control and monitoring
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, LED-luminaire drivers, sensors, and other devices.
US08686663B2 Lighting system and control method thereof
A lighting system according to embodiments includes a first light source, a second light source, a first lighting circuit, a second lighting circuit, a signal input unit, and a control circuit. The first light source has a predetermined color temperature. The second light source has a color temperature which is different from that of the first light source. The first lighting circuit lights the first light source. The second lighting circuit lights the second light source. The signal input unit receives an external signal. The control circuit includes a first light source lighting control cycle which performs a predetermined lighting control of the first light source, and a second light source lighting control cycle which performs a predetermined lighting control of the second light source, controls the first and second lighting circuits so as to start the lighting control.
US08686660B2 OLED with integrated delay structure
An organic light-emitting diode (35) is described, which comprises a light-emitting structure designed to emit light when it is powered, and a delay structure designed to delay a propagation of at least two power signal pulses (4a_left, 4b_right, 4a_top, 4b_bottom) having a temporal relationship with one another and such a signal strength that a part of the light-emitting structure is driven in dependence on coincidence of the power signal pulses at said part of the light-emitting structure, and a terminal structure designed to receive the at least two power signal pulses (4a_left, 4b_right, 4a_top, 4b_bottom) and to feed the delay structure at its different positions with the at least two power signal pulses (4a_left, 4b_right, 4a_top, 4b_bottom). A circuit for powering said light-emitting structure, as well as a method of operating said organic light-emitting diode (35) is also described.
US08686656B2 Power supply device and light-emitting element drive device
A power supply device includes a converter and an arithmetic circuit. The arithmetic circuit calculates a present control command value at predetermined intervals based on a digital value, which reflects an output voltage of a converter, from a conversion circuit. The arithmetic circuit calculates the difference value between the present control command value and a previous control command value. Based on the difference value, it is determined whether a signal output circuit outputs a high-level signal toward a charge terminal or a low-level signal toward a discharge terminal. As a result, the number of output lines corresponds to at least the number of charge terminals and discharge terminals. The above features can be achieved with a simple circuit configuration by adding a discharge and charge circuit and without increasing the number of output lines.
US08686653B2 LED backlight driving method, liquid crystal display device and LED backlight driving circuit
The present invention discloses a LED backlight driving method, a LCD device and a LED backlight driving circuit, wherein the LED backlight driving method comprises the following steps: regulating the current of each LED string so that the voltages of all LED strings are equal; and regulating the duty cycle of the current of the corresponding LED string so that the effective value of the current of each LED string meets the preset requirement of brightness. The present invention solves the problem of consumption caused by voltage difference by regulating the current through the current regulation module to ensure that the voltages of all the LED strings are equal, and ensures the brightness consistency by regulating the duty cycle through the duty-cycle regulation module so that the effective value of the currents of all the LED strings are equal.
US08686649B2 Device for driving light emitting diode
The present invention introduces a device and a method for driving an LED with an improved power factor without using a voltage detector having a large amount of area and power consumption. The device for driving an LED includes a power supply unit, an LED array, and a current path select circuit. The LED array 320 is connected with the power supply unit in parallel and includes at least one LED string including LED channels LED1 to LEDn that are configured of a plurality of LEDs connected in series. The current path select circuit selects a path of current flowing from output terminals of the plurality of LED channels according to voltage levels of each of the output terminals of the plurality of LED channels.
US08686644B2 Light generator systems and methods
A light generating system comprising: a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) and a stability control system for controlling the spectral stability of the SSEs. In a particular case, the stability control system may comprise: a power regulator to regulate power supplied to a sub-set of the plurality of SSEs; a constant current circuit connected to the power regulator to provide a constant current to the sub-set of SSEs; a current regulation set point connected to the constant current circuit; and a controller configured to set the regulation set point based on metrology relating to the state of the SSEs.
US08686643B2 System and method for reducing lamp restrike time
Systems and methods for reducing lamp restrike time are provided. In a lighting apparatus having a housing, a reflector, and a lamp positioned so that at least a portion of the outer jacket of the lamp is within the reflector, a circulating device is operated when the lamp is off and a temperature inside the housing is above a predefined temperature. The circulating device circulates air around the outer jacket of the lamp to cool the lamp so the restrike time is reduced without the need for a starting device with a starting voltage high enough to restart the lamp when the lamp is hot.
US08686641B2 Tunable LED lamp for producing biologically-adjusted light
A tunable light-emitting diode (LED) lamp for producing an adjustable light output. In one embodiment, the LED lamp includes a drive circuit for driving LED dies in one of a plurality of light output configurations (e.g., a pre-sleep configuration, a phase-shift configuration, and a general lighting configuration). Further, the LED lamp may include an output-select controller and/or input sensor electrically coupled to the drive circuit to select the light output configuration. As such, the LED lamp is tunable to generate different levels of spectral output, appropriate for varying biological circumstance, while maintaining a commercially acceptable light quality and color rendering index.
US08686639B2 Dielectric barrier discharge lamp and lamp unit
A dielectric barrier discharge lamp is described, including a discharge tube having an elongated shape and enclosing a discharge gas therein, and a pair of electrodes. A portion of an outer peripheral surface of the discharge tube in a longitudinal direction of the discharge tube is defined as a light extraction area for extracting light induced in the discharge tube to an outside. The pair of the electrodes are placed on the outer peripheral surface such that the light extraction area is positioned between the pair of the electrodes in a peripheral direction of the outer peripheral surface of the discharge tube.
US08686629B2 Organic light emitting display device with partition wall having first and second tapered structures
An organic light emitting display device (OLED) includes a transparent substrate a first electrode formed on the transparent substrate a partition wall including first and second tapered structures having different tapers and formed on the first electrode, and an organic light emitting layer stacked on both sides of the first electrode below a level of the partition wall and a second electrode. The OLED device is manufactured by, for example, forming a first electrode on a transparent substrate, forming a partition wall having first and second tapered structures on the first electrode, and forming an organic light emitting layer and a second electrode, sequentially, on both sides of the first electrode below a level of the partition wall.
US08686626B2 Oxynitride-based phosphor and light emitting device including the same
There are provided an oxynitride-based phosphor and a light emitting device including the same. The oxynitride-based phosphor has a rare-earth element dissolved in a host material represented by a general formula: Ca15Si20O10N30. The rare-earth element is at least one selected from a group consisting of manganese (Mn), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy), terbium (Tb), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm) and ytterbium (Yb). The host material has a crystal lattice according to a peak of an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, and the crystal lattice has a cubic crystal structure.
US08686624B2 Self-light emitting device and electrical appliance using the same
A self-light emitting device and an electrical appliance including the same are provided, in which extracting efficiency of light from a light emitting element, especially in an EL element, can be improved. A light scattering body formed by etching a transparent film is provided on an insulator so that the extracting efficiency of light can be improved, and the self-light emitting device with high efficiency of light emission can be provided.
US08686623B2 Omni-directional channeling of liquids for passive convection in LED bulbs
An LED bulb has a base, a shell connected to the base, and a thermally conductive liquid held within the shell. The LED bulb has a plurality of LEDs mounted on LED mounting surfaces disposed within the shell. The LED mounting surfaces face different radial directions, and the LED mounting surfaces are configured to facilitate a passive convective flow of the thermally conductive liquid within the LED bulb to transfer heat from the LEDs to the shell when the LED bulb is oriented in at least three different orientations. In a first orientation, the shell is disposed vertically above the base. In a second orientation, the shell is disposed on the same horizontal plane as the base. In a third orientation, the shell is disposed vertically below the base.
US08686620B2 Electric apparatus provided with power generating function
A remote controller (1) provided with a power generating function is provided with: a main body (10); an operation board (11); operation buttons (12) provided on the operation board (11) so as to be exposed to the outside of the remote controller (1); and a power generating section (14) which has a piezoelectric element that generates an electromotive force when the piezoelectric element is deformed. The operation board (11) can rotate with respect to the main body (10) when an operation force is applied to the operation buttons (12), and the power generating element of the power generating section (14) generates the electromotive force when the power generating element is deformed due to the force applied from the operation board (11) which has been rotated by means of the operation force.
US08686614B2 Multi-port mechanical resonating devices and related methods
Multi-port devices having multiple electrical ports are described, as are related methods. Some of the multi-port devices may have two input ports and two output ports, and may be driven differentially, in a single-ended mode, in a single-ended to differential mode, or in a differential to single-ended mode. The multi-port devices may include one or more transducers coupled to the electrical ports.
US08686613B2 Power generating device and electronic device
A power generating device includes a first substrate having a first electrode and a first positioning electrode being chargeable with a first polarity on a first surface, and a second substrate movable within a predetermined range from a static position in the planar direction of the first substrate and having a second electrode and a second positioning electrode being chargeable with a second polarity opposite to the first polarity on a second surface opposing the first surface. Overlapping the first positioning electrode and the second positioning electrode at least partially in plan view of the first substrate in the static position can cause the second substrate to return to the static position due to electrostatic attraction generated between the first positioning electrode and the second positioning electrode.
US08686610B2 Automotive dynamoelectric stator
The present invention provides an automotive dynamoelectric stator that enables vibration resistance of a lead portion to be ensured and reductions in area of the lead portion and a coil end group that is exposed to a cooling airflow to be suppressed without increasing work or cost. In a dynamoelectric machine according to the present invention, first lead portions that connect a plurality of windings to configure phase windings are each led axially outward from a rear-end coil end group, and then disposed so as to extend parallel to an axially outer peripheral surface of the rear-end coil end group so as to cross at least one other first lead portion, and so as to be separated from the axially outer peripheral surface of the rear-end coil end group.
US08686609B2 Electrical machine
The invention relates to an electrical motor (10), in particular an alternating current generator, having a housing (13) that has at least one bearing shield (13.2), having a rectifier device (139) which has an interconnection unit (144) that interconnects the current rectifier (147, 150) to a bridge circuit, characterized in that the interconnection unit (144) has at least one platform (295) that is oriented to the bearing shield (13.2) and the opening (40) is separated by at least one brace (340) which holds a hub (337), wherein the opening (40) has a niche (346) that is incorporated on the radial outer edge (349) of the opening and wherein the platform (295) projects into said niche (346) and a connection wire (216) exiting the platform (295) extends into the opening (40).
US08686608B2 Synchronous reluctance machine using rotor flux barriers as cooling channels
A synchronous reluctance machine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor disks with longitudinal flux barriers. When the rotor disks are stacked together to form a rotor core, the flux barriers define channels extending in an axial direction of the rotor core. Air is forced to flow through these channels in order to improve a temperature distribution within the machine.
US08686605B2 Rotary electric machine with improved cooling capability
In a rotary electric machine, a stator coil includes in-slot portions each contained in a corresponding one of slots of a stator core. The stator coil includes turn portions each connecting one end of a corresponding one of the in-slot portions projecting from one axial end of the stator core with one end of a corresponding alternative one of the in-slot portions projecting the one axial end of the stator core. The turn portions provide an end portion of the stator coil. A coolant guide is placed to cover a circumferential outer part of the end portion of the stator coil from radially outside thereof and provided with holes therethrough. The coolant guide guides a coolant therealong in a circumferential direction of the end portion of the stator coil while guiding, through the holes, a part of the coolant to the end portion of the stator coil.
US08686602B2 Levitated micro-manipulator system
A method of propelling a magnetic manipulator above a circuit substrate includes arranging a magnetic manipulator on a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the circuit substrate, generating drive signals using a controller, and applying the drive signals to at least two conductive traces arranged in the circuit substrate below the diamagnetic layer. A circuit substrate to control movement of a magnetic manipulator has a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the substrate, and conductive traces arranged under the diamagnetic layer, the conductive traces arranged in a parallel line pattern in at least two separate layers.
US08686598B2 Wireless energy transfer for supplying power and heat to a device
Described herein are improved capabilities for a source resonator having a Q-factor Q1>100 and a characteristic size x1 coupled to an energy source, and a second resonator having a Q-factor Q2>100 and a characteristic size x2 coupled to an energy drain located a distance D from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to exchange energy wirelessly among the source resonator and the second resonator.
US08686595B2 TPMS transmission module having power saving function
Disclosed herein is a TPMS transmission module having a power saving function, the TPMS transmission module including: a micom outputting a switch turn-off control signal when a vehicle having the TPMS transmission module mounted therein is stopped; a switch supplying a power when the switch is turned on and blocking the supply of the power when it is turned off; an energy generator generating and outputting an electric power when a tire rotates; and a switch controller turning on the switch when the electric power of a predetermined voltage or more is generated in the energy generator and turning off the switch when a switch turn off control signal is output from the micom.
US08686594B2 Method and system for establishing a power feed to systems during operation
A method of adding a power feed to electrical systems includes coupling a set of input lines to a power source such that the input lines are connected to at least one phase of AC power from the power source, and coupling a set of backfeed lines to an output receptacle in a power distribution unit. The output receptacle may be connected in parallel with at least one other output receptacle that is supplying primary power to systems in the data center. The set of backfeed lines and the set of input lines may be tested to determine a match between a pair of lines in the set of backfeed lines and a pair of lines in the set of input lines. Determining the match may include matching the phase of the pair of backfeed lines with the phase of the pair of input lines.
US08686592B2 System and method for combining the outputs of multiple, disparate types of power sources
A system for, and method of, combining the outputs of multiple, disparate types of power sources and an isolated converter module employed in the same. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a plurality of isolated converter modules having power inputs couplable to corresponding disparate types of power sources and a DC-output converter configured to convert power received from at least one of the power sources to DC power and (2) a DC bus coupled to power outputs of the plurality of isolated converter modules and configured to receive and aggregate the DC power. With such system, a universal converter module can be employed to identify and convert power from a variety of conventional and renewable power sources.
US08686591B2 Electrically-driven vehicle and charge control system which enable simultaneous performance of driving of an accessory unit and a charging process of a battery
An electrically-driven vehicle 10 comprises a chargeable and dischargeable battery 20, a charger 16 that charges the battery 20 using a supply of electric power from an external power supply 100, an accessory unit 19 that is driven by a supply of electric power from at least one of the battery 20 and the charger 16; and a PM-ECU 18 that controls drive of the charger 16 so that the charged amount of the battery does not exceed a predetermined charging upper limit. The PM-ECU 18 sets the charging upper limit used when the accessory unit 19 is being driven, lower than the charging upper limit used when the accessory unit 19 is not being driven in order to avoid overcharging when excessive electric power is supplied from the accessory unit 19 to the battery 20.
US08686588B2 Device arrangement comprising an electronic device and a power adapter and method for connecting a power adapter
A device arrangement includes an electronic device having a rechargeable battery and a power adapter which can be electrically coupled to the electronic device and has a converter circuit for producing at least one operating voltage (UB) for the electronic device from a supply voltage from a power supply system at a voltage output, wherein the operating voltage (UB) is a DC voltage, the voltage output of the electronic device and the power adapter can be connected to one another via at least one power supply line to transmit the DC voltage, and the electronic device has a monitor that monitors at least one state of the electronic device and/or of the rechargeable battery, a first controller that produces at least one control signal (S) as a function of the monitored state, and a first signal device that signals the produced signal (S) to the power adapter, which first signal device is designed to modulate a radio-frequency AC voltage signal which is associated with the control signal (S), onto the power supply line, and the power adapter has a power supply system disconnector that electrically disconnects the converter circuit from the power supply system, a second signal device that identifies a signaled control signal (S) from the first signal device, which second signal device is capacitively coupled to the voltage output and designed to demodulate the modulated control signal (S) from the radio-frequency AC voltage signal, and a second controller that operates the power supply system disconnector as a function of the identified control signal (S).
US08686585B2 Kinetic energy generation device
A kinetic energy generation device includes a rotation mechanism, a speed increaser coupled to the rotation mechanism, and a power generation element coupled to the speed increaser. The rotation mechanism includes a central shaft and an outer circumferential zone surrounding the central shaft. The outer circumferential zone receives therein partition plates set in radial direction and spaced from each other so that the partition plates show upward inclination. The central shaft is rotatably coupled to the speed increaser, and the speed increaser is coupled to the power generation element so as to constitute the kinetic energy generation device. The rotation mechanism is arranged under a water flow in order to allow each of the receiving zones to receive a weight of water, so that the weight of water causes the rotation mechanism to rotate in a given direction and thus drives the speed increaser to generate electrical power.
US08686584B2 Hydro-electric generation method and system with saltwater flume for aquaculture
Embodiments that generate electrical power via hydro-electric systems that employ man-made flumes configured to support saltwater aquaculture are disclosed. Various embodiments pump water, such as saltwater or freshwater, into supply a man-made flume. The embodiments may generally employ a blade assembly to harness wind power and drive a mechanical pump that transfers the water into the man-made flume. The flumes in different embodiments may contain different forms of aquaculture, such as shrimp, fish, and crabs. As water flows through the flume, the continual fresh supply may continually aerate the water in the flume to support the aquatic life. Water exiting the flume may impact a turbine that is coupled to a generator to generate electrical power.
US08686582B2 Wave energy converter
A wave energy converter (10) for extracting useful energy from wave motion. The converter (10) comprises an active float (12) that is arranged to float on the water, and being arranged to heave and surge in response to wave motion acting on the active float, and an elongate reactive body (14) that is arranged to be suspended in a substantially submerged state into the water and having sufficient surface area and length such that it pitches in response to wave motion-acting on the reactive body. The active float (12) and reactive body (14) are pivotably coupled for pivotable movement relative to each other about a single pivot axis (16) in response to heaving and surging of the active float and pitching of the reactive body. The converter also comprises a power output system that is driven by the pivotable movement about the pivot axis to capture the useful energy.
US08686573B2 Semiconductor device
Technique capable of achieving reliability improvement of a semiconductor device even if temperature rising of an operation guarantee temperature of the semiconductor device is performed is provided. Gap portions are provided among a plurality of pads, and a glass coat composed of, for example, a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film is embedded in the gap portions. The glass coat is provided in order to secure electrical insulation among the pads, and coats outer edge portions of the pads. Trenches are formed so as to be adjacent to regions, which are coated with the glass coat, of the outer edge portions of the pads.
US08686572B2 Apparatus for stacking integrated circuits
A multi-chip stack module provides increased circuit density for a given surface chip footprint. Support structures are alternated with standard surface mount type chips to form a stack wherein the support structures electrically interconnect the chips. One aspect is a structure and method for interconnecting a plurality of generally planar chips in a vertical stack such that signals, which are common to the chips, are connected in the stack and signals, which are accessed individually, are separated within the stack.
US08686565B2 Stacked chip assembly having vertical vias
An assembly and method of making same are provided. The assembly can be formed by stacking a first semiconductor element atop a second semiconductor element and forming an electrically conductive element extending through openings of the semiconductor elements. The openings may be staged. The conductive element can conform to contours of the interior surfaces of the openings and can electrically connect conductive pads of the semiconductor elements. A dielectric region can be provided at least substantially filling the openings of the semiconductor elements, and the electrically conductive element can extend through an opening formed in the dielectric region.
US08686564B2 Semiconductor device
A first transistor group, a second transistor group, and an electrode pad are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first protective film is formed so as to cover the semiconductor substrate except for an upper region of the electrode pad. The second protective film which generates a stress in a projecting direction is formed so as to cover the first protective film except for an upper region of the first transistor group. A transistor ability of the first transistor group is varied to be relatively higher due to a presence of the second protective film, based on a transistor ability of the second transistor group, as a reference.
US08686561B2 Nitride-based semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes a GaN substrate 10, of which the principal surface is an m-plane 12, a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 that has been formed on the m-plane 12 of the GaN-based substrate 10, and an electrode 30 arranged on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes an Mg layer 32, which contacts with the surface of a p-type semiconductor region in the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.
US08686560B2 Wafer-level chip-scale package device having bump assemblies configured to mitigate failures due to stress
Wafer-level chip-scale package semiconductor devices are described that have bump assemblies configured to mitigate solder bump failures due to stresses, particularly stresses caused by CTE mismatch during thermal cycling tests, dynamic deformation during drop tests or cyclic bending tests, and so on. In an implementation, the wafer-level chip-scale package devices include an integrated circuit chip having two or more arrays of bump assemblies for mounting the device to a printed circuit board. At least one of the arrays includes bump assemblies that are configured to withstand higher levels of stress than the bump assemblies of the remaining arrays.
US08686553B2 Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
A reduction in contaminating impurities in a TFT, and a TFT which is reliable, is obtained in a semiconductor device which uses the TFT. By removing contaminating impurities residing in a film interface of the TFT using a solution containing fluorine, a reliable TFT can be obtained.
US08686551B2 Substrate for a microelectronic package and method of fabricating thereof
Substrates having molded dielectric layers and methods of fabricating such substrates are disclosed. The substrates may advantageously be used in microelectronic assemblies having high routing density.
US08686550B2 Method and apparatus for high pressure sensor device
A pressure sensor package is provided that reduces the occurrence of micro gaps between molding material and metal contacts that can store high-pressure air. The present invention provides this capability by reducing or eliminating interfaces between package molding material and metal contacts. In one embodiment, a control die is electrically coupled to a lead frame and then encapsulated in molding material, using a technique that forms a cavity over a portion of the control die. The cavity exposes contacts on the free surface of the control die that can be electrically coupled to a pressure sensor device using, for example, wire bonding techniques. In another embodiment, a region of a substrate can be encapsulated in molding material, using a technique that forms a cavity over a sub-portion of the substrate that includes contacts. A pressure sensor device can be electrically coupled to the exposed contacts.
US08686548B2 Wiring substrate, method for manufacturing wiring substrate, and semiconductor package including wiring substrate
A wiring substrate includes a ceramic substrate including plural ceramic layers, an inner wiring, and an electrode electrically connected to the inner wiring, the electrode exposed on a first surface of the ceramic substrate, and a silicon substrate body having a front surface and a back surface situated on an opposite side of the front surface and including a wiring pattern formed on the front surface and a via filling material having one end electrically connected to the wiring pattern and another end exposed at the back surface. The back surface is bonded to the first surface of the ceramic substrate via a polymer layer. The via filling material penetrates through the polymer layer and is directly bonded to the electrode.
US08686543B2 3D chip package with shielded structures
A 3D chip package is disclosed that includes a carrier substrate with a first cavity and a second cavity formed therein. A first structure is attached to the carrier substrate at least partially in the first cavity, and a second structure is attached to the carrier substrate at least partially in the second cavity, where the first and second structures include electrical circuitry. A shield layer may be disposed between the carrier substrate and the first structure and/or the second structure for isolating the first structure and/or the second structure at least one of electrically, magnetically, optically, or thermally. In some embodiments, the shield layer may be a dielectric shield layer for dielectrically coupling the first structure and the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.
US08686542B2 Compliant monopolar micro device transfer head with silicon electrode
A compliant monopolar micro device transfer head array and method of forming a compliant monopolar micro device transfer array from an SOI substrate are described. In an embodiment, the micro device transfer head array including a base substrate and a patterned silicon layer over the base substrate. The patterned silicon layer may include a silicon interconnect and an array of silicon electrodes electrically connected with the silicon interconnect. Each silicon electrode includes a mesa structure protruding above the silicon interconnect, and each silicon electrode is deflectable into a cavity between the base substrate and the silicon electrode. A dielectric layer covers a top surface of each mesa structure.
US08686541B2 Semiconductor device including capacitor and contact plug
The present invention provides technology directed to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, metal contact plugs are formed to come into contact with both sidewalls of a capacitor, including lower electrodes, dielectric layers, and an upper electrode. Accordingly, contact resistance can be reduced because the contact area of the upper electrode and the metal contact plugs forming the capacitor, can be increased. Furthermore, the number of chips per wafer can be increased because the area in which the metal contact plugs and the capacitor are formed can be reduced. In addition, the generation of noise can be reduced because the contact area of the capacitor and the metal contact plugs is increased and thus voltage at the upper electrode is stabilized.
US08686534B2 Trench isolation structure and method for forming the same
A trench isolation structure and a method of forming the same are provided. The trench isolation structure includes: a semiconductor substrate, and trenches formed in the semiconductor substrate and filled with a dielectric layer, where the material of the dielectric layer is a crystalline material. By using the present invention, the size of the divot can be reduced, and device performances can be improved.
US08686532B2 Semiconductor device having an annular guard ring
A semiconductor chip 100 includes a logic unit and an analog unit 153. Furthermore, the semiconductor chip 100 includes a silicon substrate 101; a first insulating film 123 to a sixth insulating film 143 formed on the silicon substrate 101; and an annular seal ring 105 consisting of a first conductive ring 125 to a sixth conductive ring 145 buried in the first insulating film 123 to the sixth insulating film 143, which surrounds the periphery of the logic unit and the analog unit 153. In the seal ring region 106, there is formed a pn junction acting as a nonconducting part 104, which blocks conduction in a path from the logic unit, through the seal ring 105 to the analog unit 153.
US08686529B2 Wavelength sensitive sensor photodiodes
The present invention is directed toward a dual junction photodiode semiconductor devices with improved wavelength sensitivity. The photodiode employs a high quality n-type layer with relatively lower doping concentration and enables high minority carrier lifetime and high quantum efficiency with improved responsivity at multiple wavelengths. In one embodiment, the photodiode comprises a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first impurity region of a second conductivity type formed epitaxially in the semiconductor substrate, a second impurity region of the first conductivity type shallowly formed in the epitaxially formed first impurity region, a first PN junction formed between the epitaxially formed first impurity region and the second impurity region, a second PN junction formed between the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxially formed first impurity region, and at least one passivated V-groove etched into the epitaxially formed first impurity region and the semiconductor substrate.
US08686528B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a lower electrode (110); a contact layer (130) including a first contact layer (132), a second contact layer (134) and a third contact layer (136) overlapping with a semiconductor layer (120); and an upper electrode (140) including a first upper electrode (142), a second upper electrode (144) and a third upper electrode (146). The second contact layer (134) includes a first region (134a), and a second region (134b) separate from the first region (134a), and the second upper electrode (144) is directly in contact with the semiconductor layer (120) in a region between the first region (134a) and the second region (134b) of the second contact layer (134).
US08686523B2 Magnetoresistive device
A magnetoresistive device having a magnetic junction including a first fixed magnetic layer structure, a second fixed magnetic layer structure, and a free magnetic layer structure, wherein the first second and free magnetic layer structures are arranged one over the other. The first second and free magnetic layer structures have respective magnetization orientations configured to orient in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by an interface between the free magnetic layer structure and either one of the first fixed magnetic layer structure or the second fixed magnetic layer structure. The respective magnetization orientations of the first and the second fixed magnetic layer structures are oriented anti-parallel to each other, and the first fixed magnetic layer structure is a static fixed magnetic layer structure having a switching field that is larger than a switching field of the free magnetic layer structure.
US08686522B2 Semiconductor trench inductors and transformers
Semiconductor trench inductor and transformer structures are provided, which include thin film conductive layers and magnetic layers formed within trenches etched in semiconductor substrates. Semiconductor trench devices effectively provide vertical oriented inductor and transformer structures whereby conductive coils and magnetic layers are vertically oriented on edge within trenches, thereby providing a space-saving compact design, and which allows the conductive layers within the trench to be enclosed by magnetic material, thereby providing a density of magnetic material that increases the storable energy density.
US08686517B2 Self-aligned insulating etchstop layer on a metal contact
A semiconductor device comprising a substrate having a transistor that includes a metal gate structure; a first oxide layer formed over the substrate; a silane layer formed on the first oxide layer; and a non-conductive metal oxide layer grown on the metal gate structure, wherein the silane layer inhibits nucleation and growth of the non-conductive metal oxide layer.
US08686516B2 Silicide formation and associated devices
Improved silicide formation and associated devices are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate and having spaced source and drain regions extending outwardly from a channel region, and a gate structure disposed on a portion of the fin structure, the gate structure engaging the fin structure adjacent to the channel region. The device also includes a first silicide layer disposed on the fin structure, the first silicide layer extending outwardly from the gate structure along a top portion of the source region and a second silicide layer disposed on the fin structure, the second silicide layer extending outwardly from the gate structure along a top portion of the drain region. Further, the device includes a source contact conductively coupled to the first silicide layer and a drain contact conductively coupled to the second silicide layer.
US08686511B2 Source/drain extension control for advanced transistors
A planar transistor with improved performance has a source and a drain on a semiconductor substrate that includes a substantially undoped channel extending between the source and the drain. A gate is positioned over the substantially undoped channel on the substrate. Implanted source/drain extensions contact the source and the drain, with the implanted source/drain extensions having a dopant concentration of less than about 1×1019 atoms/cm3′, or alternatively, less than one-quarter the dopant concentration of the source and the drain.
US08686510B2 ESD protection element and ESD protection device for use in an electrical circuit
An ESD protection element may include: a fin structure including a first connection region having a first conductivity type, a second connection region having a second conductivity type, first and second body regions formed between the connection regions, the first body region having the second conductivity type and formed adjacent to the first connection region, the second body region having the first conductivity type and formed adjacent to the second connection region, the body regions having a lower dopant concentration than the connection regions, a diffusion region formed between the body regions and having substantially the same dopant concentration as at least one of the first and second connection regions; a gate region on or above the first body region or the second body region; a gate control device electrically coupled to the gate region and configured to control at least one electrical potential applied to the gate region.
US08686509B2 Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a first doped region and a second doped region. The first doped region comprises a first contact region. The first doped region and the first contact region have a first type conductivity. The second doped region comprises a second contact region. The second doped region and the second contact region have a second type conductivity opposite to the first type conductivity. The first doped region is adjacent to the second doped region.
US08686505B2 Lateral semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
A method produces a semiconductor device including a semiconductor body, an electrode thereon, and an insulating structure insulating the electrode from the semiconductor body. The semiconductor body includes a first contact region of a first conductivity type, a body region of a second conductivity type, a drift region of the first conductivity type, and a second contact region having a higher maximum doping concentration than the drift region. The insulating structure includes a gate dielectric portion forming a first horizontal interface. with the drift region and has a first maximum vertical extension A field dielectric portion forms with the drift region second and third horizontal interfaces arranged below the main surface. A second maximum vertical extension of the field dielectric portion is larger than the first maximum vertical extension. A third maximum vertical extension of the field dielectric portion is larger than the second maximum vertical extension.
US08686500B2 Double diffused metal oxide semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) device and a manufacturing method thereof. The DMOS device is formed in a first conductive type substrate, and includes a second conductive type high voltage well, a field oxide region, a gate, a second conductive type source, a second conductive type drain, a first conductive type body region, and a first conductive type deep well. The deep well is formed beneath and adjacent to the high voltage well in a vertical direction. The deep well and the high voltage well are defined by a same lithography process step.
US08686498B2 Lateral double diffused MOS device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate on a substrate, a source region at a first side of the gate, a first conductive type body region under the source region, a second conductive type drain region at a second side of the gate, a device isolation region in the substrate between the source region and the drain region and overlapping part of the gate, and a first buried layer extending in a direction from the source region to the drain region, the first buried layer under the body region, overlapping part of the device isolation region, and not overlapping the drain region.
US08686494B2 Recessed channel negative differential resistance-based memory cell
The disclosed recessed thyristor-based memory cell comprises in one embodiment a conductive plug recessed into the bulk of the substrate, which is coupled to or comprises the enable gate of the cell. Vertically disposed around this recessed gate is a thyristor, whose anode is connected to the bit line and cathode is connected to the word line. The disclosed cell comprises no other gate, such as an access transistor, and hence is essentially a one-transistor device. As facilitated by the vertical disposition of the thyristor, the disclosed cell takes up a small amount of area on an integrated circuit when compared to a traditional DRAM cell. The disclosed cell is simple to manufacture in its various embodiments, and is easy to configure into an array of cells. Isolation underneath the cell assists in improving the data retention of the cell and extends the time needed between cell refresh.
US08686491B2 Memory devices capable of reducing lateral movement of charges
The memory devices include a tunneling insulating layer disposed on a substrate, a charge storage layer disposed on the tunneling insulating layer, a blocking insulating layer disposed on the charge storage layer and a control gate electrode disposed on the blocking insulating layer. The control gate electrode may have an edge portion spaced farther apart from the blocking insulating layer than a central portion of the control gate electrode to concentrate charge density distribution on a central portion of a memory cell.
US08686490B2 Electron blocking layers for electronic devices
Methods and apparatuses for electronic devices such as non-volatile memory devices are described. The memory devices include a multi-layer control dielectric, such as a double or triple layer. The multi-layer control dielectric includes a combination of high-k dielectric materials such as aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, and/or hybrid films of hafnium aluminum oxide. The multi-layer control dielectric provides enhanced characteristics, including increased charge retention, enhanced memory program/erase window, improved reliability and stability, with feasibility for single or multi state (e.g., two, three or four bit) operation.
US08686489B2 Memory with metal-insulator-metal tunneling program and erase
The flash memory cell comprises a sense transistor that has a pair of source/drain lines and a control gate. A coupling metal-insulator-metal capacitor is created between the floating gate and a read wordline. A tunneling metal-insulator-metal capacitor is created between the floating gate and a write/erase bit line. In one embodiment, the insulator is a metal oxide.
US08686486B2 Memory device
It is an object to provide a memory device where an area occupied by a memory cell is small, and moreover, a memory device where an area occupied by a memory cell is small and a data holding period is long. A memory device includes a bit line, a capacitor, a first insulating layer provided over the bit line and including a groove portion, a semiconductor layer, a second insulating layer in contact with the semiconductor layer, and a word line in contact with the second insulating layer. Part of the semiconductor layer is electrically connected to the bit line in a bottom portion of the groove portion, and another part of the semiconductor layer is electrically connected to one electrode of the capacitor in a top surface of the first insulating layer.
US08686482B2 CMOS image sensor
A CIS and a method of manufacturing the same, the CIS including a substrate having a first surface and second surface opposite thereto, the substrate including an APS array region including a photoelectric transformation element and a peripheral circuit region; an insulating interlayer on the first surface of the substrate and including metal wirings electrically connected to the photoelectric transformation element; a light blocking layer on the peripheral circuit region of the second surface of the substrate, exposing the APS array region, and including a plurality of metal wiring patterns spaced apart from one another to form at least one drainage path along a boundary region between the APS array region and the peripheral circuit region; a color filter layer on the second surface of the substrate covering the APS array region and the light blocking layer; and a microlens on the color filter layer on the APS array region.
US08686481B2 Semiconductor device with an image sensor and method for the manufacturing of such a device
Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body with a semiconductor image sensor comprising a two-dimensional matrix of picture elements, each picture element comprising a radiation-sensitive element coupled to MOS field effect transistors for reading the radiation-sensitive elements, wherein a semiconductor region is sunken in the surface of the body having the same conductivity type as the body and having an increased doping concentration, the semiconductor region being disposed between the radiation-sensitive elements of neighboring picture elements.
US08686478B2 Methods of forming and programming an electronically programmable resistor
Methods of electrically programming a diffusion resistor by using trapped charge in a trapped charge region adjacent to the resistor to vary the resistance of the resistor, and the resistor, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a diffusion resistor in a substrate; forming a trapped charge region adjacent to the diffusion resistor; and adjusting a resistance of the diffusion resistor by controlling the trapped charge in the trapped charge region.
US08686472B2 Semiconductor substrate, electronic device and method for manufacturing semiconductor substrate
There is provided a semiconductor wafer including a base wafer, an insulating layer, and a Si crystal layer in the stated order. The semiconductor wafer further includes an inhibition layer that is provided on the Si crystal layer and has an opening penetrating therethrough to reach the Si crystal layer. The inhibition layer inhibiting crystal growth of a compound semiconductor. Furthermore, a seed crystal is provided within the opening, and a compound semiconductor has a lattice match or a pseudo lattice match with the seed crystal. There is also provided an electronic device includes a substrate, an insulating layer that is provided on the substrate, a Si crystal layer that is provided on the insulating layer, an inhibition layer that is provided on the Si crystal layer and has an opening penetrating therethrough to reach the Si crystal layer, where the inhibition layer inhibits crystal growth of a compound semiconductor, a seed crystal that is provided within the opening, a compound semiconductor that has a lattice match or a pseudo lattice match with the seed crystal, and a semiconductor device that is formed using the compound semiconductor.
US08686471B2 Minority carrier based HgCdTe infrared detectors and arrays
Disclosed are minority carrier based mercury-cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) infrared detectors and arrays, and methods of making, are disclosed. The constructions provided by the invention enable the detectors to be used at higher temperatures, and/or be implemented on less expensive semiconductor substrates to lower manufacturing costs. An exemplary embodiment a substrate, a bottom contact layer disposed on the substrate, a first mercury-cadmium telluride layer having a first bandgap energy value disposed on the bottom contact layer, a second mercury-cadmium telluride layer having a second bandgap energy value that is greater than the first bandgap energy value disposed on the first mercury-cadmium telluride layer, and a collector layer disposed on the second mercury-cadmium telluride layer, wherein the first and second mercury-cadmium telluride layers are each doped with an n-type dopant.
US08686467B2 Semiconductor device comprising semiconductor substrate and having diode region and IGBT region
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a diode region and an IGBT region are formed, wherein a lower surface side of the semiconductor substrate comprises a low impurity region provided between a second conductivity type cathode region of the diode region and a first conductivity type collector region of the IGBT region. The low impurity region includes at least one of a first conductivity type first low impurity region which has a lower density of first conductivity type impurities than that in the collector region and a second conductivity type second low impurity region which has a lower density of second conductivity type impurities than that in the cathode region.
US08686464B2 LED module
According to one embodiment, an LED module includes a substrate, an interconnect layer, a light emitting diode (LED) package, and a reflection member. The interconnect layer is provided on the substrate. The LED package is mounted on the interconnect layer. The reflection member is provided on a region in the substrate where the LED package is not mounted and has a property of reflecting light emitted from the LED package. The LED package includes a first lead frame, a second lead frame, an LED chip, and a resin body. The first lead frame and the second lead frame are arranged apart from each other on the same plane. The LED chip is provided above the first lead frame and the second lead frame, with one terminal connected to the first lead frame and one other terminal connected to the second lead frame. The resin body covers the LED chip, covers an upper surface, a part of a lower surface, and a part of an end surface of each of the first lead frame and the second lead frame, and exposes a remaining part of the lower surface and a remaining part of the end surface.
US08686462B2 Optoelectronic device
The application provides an optoelectronic device structure, comprising a semiconductor stack, comprising a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a first electrode electrically connecting with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and further comprising a first extension electrode; a second electrode electrically connecting with the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; and a plurality of electrical restraint contact areas between the semiconductor stack and the first extension electrode, wherein the plurality of electrical restraint contact areas is distributed in a variable interval.
US08686458B2 Power light emitting diode and method with current density operation
A light emitting diode device emitting at a wavelength of 390-415 nm has a bulk gallium and nitrogen containing substrate with an active region. The device has a current density of greater than about 175 Amps/cm2 and an external quantum efficiency with a roll off of less than about 5% absolute efficiency.
US08686454B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
There is provided a semiconductor light emitting device including a conductive substrate, a first electrode layer, an insulating layer, a second electrode layer, a second semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a first semiconductor layer that are sequentially stacked. The contact area between the first electrode layer and the first semiconductor layer is 3% to 13% of the total area of the semiconductor light emitting device, and thus high luminous efficiency is achieved.
US08686449B2 Light emitting device with phosphor wavelength conversion
A light emitting device comprises a substantially planar light transmissive substrate having a light emitting surface and an opposite surface. The substrate is configured as a light guiding medium. The light emitting device also comprises at least one phosphor material disposed as a layer on the light emitting surface with a plurality of window areas and at least one source of excitation radiation of a first wavelength positioned adjacent to at least one peripheral edge of the substrate. The source is configured to couple excitation radiation into the substrate such that it is waveguided within the substrate by total internal reflection. Additionally, the light emitted by the device from the light emitting surface comprises first wavelength radiation and second, longer wavelength photoluminescent light emitted by the phosphor layer as a result of excitation by the source.
US08686445B1 Solid state lighting devices and methods
A light emission package includes at least one solid state emitter, a leadframe including at least one electrical lead and a body structure encasing a portion of the leadframe. A thermal transfer material can be isolated from the at least one electrical lead. The body structure can include a plastic body structure wherein a rim portion can be disposed along a portion of the upper surface of the body structure. The light emission package can also include the at least one solid state emitter mounted over thermal transfer material using a direct metal-to-metal bond such as by eutectic die attachment. The light emission package is operable to emit light with an output of approximately 70% or greater of an initial light output for an extrapolated time of at least approximately 150,000 hours or more.
US08686443B2 Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device comprises a substrate including a plurality of light-emitting regions separated by a non-light-emitting region, an organic light-emitting element disposed on each of the light-emitting regions, and a photoactive element disposed on the non-light-emitting region.
US08686437B2 DIMOSFET SiC semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first, a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth semiconductor region, an insulating film, a control electrode, and a first and a second electrode. The first, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth semiconductor region include silicon carbide. The first semiconductor region has a first impurity concentration, and has a first portion. The second semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region. The third semiconductor region is provided on the second semiconductor region. The fourth semiconductor region is provided between the first portion and the second semiconductor region. The fourth semiconductor region is provided between the first portion and the third semiconductor region. The fifth semiconductor region includes a first region provided between the first portion and the second semiconductor region, and has a second impurity concentration higher than the first impurity concentration.
US08686432B2 Semiconductor light emitting device with laser scribed end faces
A semiconductor device composed of a Group III nitride semiconductor has the following structure. A substrate has on it an n-type first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a p-type second semiconductor layer in this order. Two first end faces are formed by cleavage and oppose each other in planar view. Two trenches extend to the two first end faces in the direction orthogonal to the first end faces in planar view. Bottoms of the trenches are positioned at least below the lower surface of the active layer. Second end faces are formed by laser scribing in the direction orthogonal to the first end faces and outside the trenches.
US08686430B2 Buffer layer for GaN-on-Si LED
A buffer layer of zinc telluride (ZnTe) or titanium dioxide (TiO2) is formed directly on a silicon substrate. Optionally, a layer of AlN is then formed as a second layer of the buffer layer. A template layer of GaN is then formed over the buffer layer. An epitaxial LED structure for a GaN-based blue LED is formed over the template layer, thereby forming a first multilayer structure. A conductive carrier is then bonded to the first multilayer structure. The silicon substrate and the buffer layer are then removed, thereby forming a second multilayer structure. Electrodes are formed on the second multilayer structure, and the structure is singulated to form blue LED devices.
US08686428B1 Semiconductor device and structure
A device with an external surface, the device including: a substrate including first mono-crystal transistors; a second layer including second mono-crystal transistors, the second mono-crystal transistors overlaying the first mono-crystal transistors; and a plurality of thermal conduction paths from a plurality of the second layer locations to the external surface, wherein at least one of the thermal conduction paths includes an electrically nonconductive contact.
US08686424B2 Bipolar transistor manufacturing method, bipolar transistor and integrated circuit
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a bipolar transistor, comprising providing a substrate (10) comprising a first isolation region (12) separated from a second isolation region by an active region (11) comprising a collector impurity; forming a layer stack over said substrate, said layer stack comprising a base layer (14, 14′), a silicon capping layer (15) over said base layer and a silicon-germanium (SiGe) base contact layer (40) over said silicon capping layer; etching the SiGe base contact layer to form an emitter window (50) over the collector impurity, wherein the silicon emitter cap layer is used as etch stop layer; forming sidewall spacers (22) in the emitter window; and filling the emitter window with an emitter material (24). A bipolar transistor manufactured in accordance with this method and an IC comprising one or more of such bipolar transistors are also disclosed.
US08686419B2 Structure and fabrication method for resistance-change memory cell in 3-D memory
A memory device in a 3-D read and write memory includes a resistance-changing layer, and a local contact resistance in series with, and local to, the resistance-changing layer. The local contact resistance is established by a junction between a semiconductor layer and a metal layer. Further, the local contact resistance has a specified level of resistance according to a doping concentration of the semiconductor and a barrier height of the junction. A method for fabricating such a memory device is also presented.
US08686416B2 Oxide semiconductor film and semiconductor device
Provided is an oxide semiconductor film which has more stable electric characteristics and essentially consists of indium zinc oxide. In addition, provided is a highly reliable semiconductor device which has stable electric characteristics by using the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film essentially consisting of indium zinc oxide has a hexagonal crystal structure in which the a-b plane is substantially parallel to a surface of the oxide semiconductor film and a rhombohedral crystal structure in which the a-b plane is substantially parallel to the surface of the oxide semiconductor film.
US08686411B2 Methods of self-aligned growth of chalcogenide memory access device
Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
US08686406B2 Pyrene-based compound, organic light-emitting diode comprising the same and organic light-emitting apparatus comprising the same
A pyrene-based compound, an organic light-emitting diode including the compound and an organic light-emitting apparatus including the compound are disclosed.
US08686403B2 Organic luminescent device including a first electrode, two or more organic layers and a second electrode and a production method for the same
Disclosed is an organic light emitting device comprising a first electrode, two or more organic compound layers, and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode comprises a conductive layer and an n-type organic compound layer which is in contact with the conductive layer, one of the organic compound layers interposed between the n-type organic compound layer of the first electrode and the second electrode is a p-type organic compound layer forming an NP junction together with the n-type organic compound layer of the first electrode, energy levels of the layers satisfy the following Expressions (1) and (2), and one or more layers interposed between the p-type organic compound layer and the second electrode are n-doped with alkali earth metal: 0 eV
US08686402B2 Tunnel field effect transistor and method of manufacturing same
A TFET includes a source region (110, 210), a drain region (120, 220), a channel region (130, 230) between the source region and the drain region, and a gate region (140, 240) adjacent to the channel region. The source region contains a first compound semiconductor including a first Group III material and a first Group V material, and the channel region contains a second compound semiconductor including a second Group III material and a second Group V material. The drain region may contain a third compound semiconductor including a third Group III material and a third Group V material.
US08686401B2 Ultraviolet irradiation apparatus
Provided is a compact ultraviolet irradiation apparatus which is capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation with high efficiency.This ultraviolet irradiation apparatus includes, in a vessel, a semiconductor multi-layered film element and an electron beam irradiation source for irradiating the semiconductor multi-layered film element with an electron beam, the vessel being hermetically sealed to have a negative internal pressure and having an ultraviolet transmitting window. Furthermore, the semiconductor multi-layered film element includes an active layer having a single quantum well structure or a multi quantum well structure of InxAlyGa1-x-yN (0≦x<1, 0
US08686398B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a first conductivity-type first semiconductor layer, a second conductivity-type second semiconductor layer, a semiconductor light emitting layer, and first and second electrodes. The semiconductor light emitting layer is provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and includes a multiple quantum well structure. The quantum well structure includes well layers and barrier layers each laminated alternately, each of the well layers being not less than 6 nm and not more than 10 nm. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second semiconductor layers such that current flows in a direction substantially vertical to the main surface.
US08686396B2 Non-polar ultraviolet light emitting device and method for fabricating same
An ultra-violet light-emitting device and method for fabricating an ultraviolet light emitting device, 12, (LED or an LD) with an AlInGaN multiple-quantum-well active region, 10, exhibiting stable cw-powers. The device includes a non c-plane template with an ultraviolet light-emitting structure thereon. The template includes a first buffer layer, 321, on a substrate, 100, then a second buffer layer, 421, on the first preferably with a strain-relieving layer, 302, in both buffer layers. Next there is a semiconductor layer having a first type of conductivity, 500, followed by a layer providing a quantum-well region, 600. Another semiconductor layer, 700, having a second type of conductivity is applied next. Two metal contacts, 980 and 990, are applied to this construction, one to the semiconductor layer having the first type of conductivity and the other to the semiconductor layer having the second type of conductivity, to complete the light emitting device.
US08686394B2 Semiconductor constructions and memory arrays
Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. Carbon-containing material is formed over oxygen-sensitive material. The carbon-containing material and oxygen-sensitive material together form a structure having a sidewall that extends along both the carbon-containing material and the oxygen-sensitive material. First protective material is formed along the sidewall. The first protective material extends across an interface of the carbon-containing material and the oxygen-sensitive material, and does not extend to a top region of the carbon-containing material. Second protective material is formed across the top of the carbon-containing material, with the second protective material having a common composition to the first protective material. The second protective material is etched to expose an upper surface of the carbon-containing material. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions, memory arrays and methods of forming memory arrays.
US08686391B2 Pore phase change material cell fabricated from recessed pillar
A method of manufacturing an electrode is provided that includes providing a pillar of a first phase change material atop a conductive structure of a dielectric layer; or the inverted structure; forming an insulating material atop dielectric layer and adjacent the pillar, wherein an upper surface of the first insulating material is coplanar with an upper surface of the pillar; recessing the upper surface of the pillar below the upper surface of the insulating material to provide a recessed cavity; and forming a second phase change material atop the recessed cavity and the upper surface of the insulating material, wherein the second phase change material has a greater phase resistivity than the first phase change material.
US08686385B2 Phase-change random access memory device and method of manufacturing the same
The PCRAM device includes a semiconductor substrate including a switching device; an interlayer insulating layer having a heating electrode contact hole exposing the switching device, a heating electrode formed to be extended along a side of the interlayer insulating layer in the heating electrode contact hole, wherein the heating electrode has a width gradually increased toward a bottom of the heating electrode and is in contact with the switching device, first and second phase-change layers formed within the heating electrode contact hole that includes the heating electrode, and a phase-change separation layer formed in the heating electrode contact hole between the first and second phase-change layers.
US08686382B2 Opto-isolator that uses a nontransparent hollow tube as the optical waveguide extending between the transmitter and receiver modules of the opto-isolator
In an opto-isolator, a nontransparent hollow tube having a smooth inner surface with mirror-like qualities is used as the optical waveguide for coupling optical signals between the transmitter module and the receiver module and for providing electrical transient isolation.
US08686379B1 Method and apparatus for preparing serial planar cross sections
Systems for preparing solid samples for microscopic examination in cross section or planametric orientation. The sample preparation systems include a sample support, an excitation beam to remove material from the surface of the sample, and a beam shield that protects the sample from the excitation beam, where sequential vertical adjustment of the beam shield permits the selective exposure of a series of substantially planar sample surfaces.
US08686378B2 Charged particle beam drawing apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
A charged particle beam drawing apparatus includes an electrostatic lens including an electrode member and configured to project the plurality of charged particle beams onto the substrate via the electrode member. In the electrode member are formed a plurality of first openings via which the plurality of charged particle beams pass, and a plurality of second openings different from the plurality of first openings, a total area of the plurality of second openings being not smaller than a total area of the plurality of first openings.
US08686375B2 Molecule mass detection via field emission of electrons from membranes
An active detector and methods for detecting molecules, including large molecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides, at or near room temperature based on the generation of electrons via field emission (FE) and/or secondary electron emission (SEE). The detector comprises a semiconductor membrane having an external surface that is contacted by one or more molecules, and an internal surface having a thin metallic layer or other type of electron emitting layer. The kinetic energy of molecules contacting the semiconductor membrane is transferred through the membrane and induces the emission of electrons from the emitting layer. An electron detector, which optionally includes means for electron amplification, is positioned to detect the emitted electrons.
US08686370B2 EUV light source components and methods for producing, using and refurbishing same
A method is disclosed for in-situ monitoring of an EUV mirror to determine a degree of optical degradation. The method may comprise the steps/acts of irradiating at least a portion of the mirror with light having a wavelength outside the EUV spectrum, measuring at least a portion of the light after the light has reflected from the mirror, and using the measurement and a pre-determined relationship between mirror degradation and light reflectivity to estimate a degree of multi-layer mirror degradation. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a near-normal incidence, EUV mirror which may comprise the steps/acts of providing a metallic substrate, diamond turning a surface of the substrate, depositing at least one intermediate material overlying the surface using a physical vapor deposition technique, and depositing a multi-layer mirror coating overlying the intermediate material.
US08686369B2 Flat panel X-ray detector and method for its manufacturing
The present invention relates to imaging devices. Technical solutions—creation of highly manufacturable assemblage of flat panel x-ray detectors, and providing high quality images. The flat panel x-ray detector comprises a light-blocking split housing consisting of a bottom and top parts; in the housing sequentially along the incident radiation pathway are installed an elastic radiotransparent layer, x-ray screen on the substrate and sensors being fastened to the mounting base. Sensors are fastened on the mounting base with a possibility to be removed with a possibility to be removed by means of additionally set on the sensor substrates intermediate elements. To fix the screen it is additionally introduced a bar inside which the edge of said screen substrate is fixed, and the bar is fastened to mounting base with a possibility to be removed.
US08686363B1 Hyperspectral stimulated emission depletion microscopy and methods of use thereof
A hyperspectral stimulated emission depletion (“STED”) microscope system for high-resolution imaging of samples labeled with multiple fluorophores (e.g., two to ten fluorophores). The hyperspectral STED microscope includes a light source, optical systems configured for generating an excitation light beam and a depletion light beam, optical systems configured for focusing the excitation and depletion light beams on a sample, and systems for collecting and processing data generated by interaction of the excitation and depletion light beams with the sample. Hyperspectral STED data may be analyzed using multivariate curve resolution analysis techniques to deconvolute emission from the multiple fluorophores. The hyperspectral STED microscope described herein can be used for multi-color, subdiffraction imaging of samples (e.g., materials and biological materials) and for analyzing a tissue by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (“FRET”).
US08686360B2 Micro-sample processing method, observation method and apparatus
As sample sizes have decreased to microscopic levels, it has become desirable to establish a method for thin film processing and observation with a high level of positional accuracy, especially for materials which are vulnerable to electron beam irradiation. The technological problem is to judge a point at which to end FIB processing and perform control so that the portion to be observed ends up in a central portion of the thin film. The present invention enables display of structure in cross-section by setting a strip-like processing region in an inclined portion of a sample cross-section and enlarging the display of the strip-like processing region on a processing monitor in a short-side direction. It is then possible to check the cross-sectional structure without additional use of an electron beam. Since it is possible to check the processed section without using an electron beam, electron beam-generated damage or deformation to the processed section is avoided. Further, performing the observation using a high-speed electron beam after forming the thin film enables observation with suppressed sample damage. Processing of even thinner thin films using the FIB while observing images of the sample generated using an electron beam is then possible.
US08686358B2 Sub-microsecond-resolution probe microscopy
Methods and apparatus are provided herein for time-resolved analysis of the effect of a perturbation (e.g., a light or voltage pulse) on a sample. By operating in the time domain, the provided method enables sub-microsecond time-resolved measurement of transient, or time-varying, forces acting on a cantilever.
US08686354B2 Extraction and detection system and method
An apparatus, system and method for the continuous flow extraction, collection and analysis of small amounts of energetic substance/s and their reacted/unreacted residue/s in real time are provided. The apparatus includes an agitator that generates a particulate material from a surface. A vacuum gathers particulate material which is provided to a mixing module. The mixing module creates a supercritical matrix containing the particulate matter. A separator separates and removes waste in the supercritical matrix from the supercritical matrix. Concentrated particulate material from the supercritical matrix is provided to a mass spectrometer for analysis and detection of a target material in proximate real-time. In one embodiment, the separator provides the supercritical matrix to a tube arm. The tube arm is heated to reduce solvent in the supercritical matrix. A collector in the tube arm concentrates particulate material, which is volatilized by a laser. Volatilized particulate material is provided to the mass spectrometer. In another embodiment, the separator provides the supercritical matrix to an electrospray or APCI module whose output is provided direct to the mass spectrometer.
US08686350B2 Multiple ion injection in mass spectrometry
This invention relates to mass spectrometry that includes ion trapping in at least one of the stages of mass analysis. In particular, although not exclusively, this invention relates to tandem mass spectrometry where precursor ions and fragment ions are analyzed. A method of mass spectrometry is provided comprising the sequential steps of: accumulating in an ion store a sample of one type of ions to be analyzed; accumulating in the ion store a sample of another type of ions to be analyzed; and mass analyzing the combined samples of the ions; wherein the method comprises accumulating the sample of the one type of ions and/or the sample of another type of ions to achieve a target number of ions based on the results of a previous measurement of the respective type of ions.
US08686349B2 Methods and systems for matching product ions to precursor ions
Methods of tandem mass spectrometry are disclosed, characterized by: providing a mixture of precursor ions comprising a plurality of individually isolated ion types of respective selected m/z ratios; estimating an elemental composition for each precursor ion type based on its respective m/z ratio; generating a sample of fragment ions comprising a plurality of fragment ion types by fragmenting the plurality of precursor ion types of the mixture; generating a mass spectrum of the fragment ion types to determine a respective m/z ratio or m/z ratio range for each respective fragment ion type; estimating an elemental composition for each fragment ion type based on its respective m/z ratio or m/z ratio range; and calculating probabilities, for each precursor ion type, that a fragment ion type or a pair of fragment ion types was derived from said precursor ion type.
US08686348B2 High voltage insulating sleeve for nuclear well logging
A well logging instrument includes an instrument housing to traverse a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations. An electrically operated energy source that emits ionizing radiation is disposed inside the housing. An insulating sleeve is disposed between the energy source and an interior wall of the housing. The insulating sleeve comprises a thin dielectric film arranged in a plurality of tightly fitting layers of dielectric material disposed adjacent to each other and successively. A thickness of each layer and a number of layers is selected to provide a dielectric strength sufficient to electrically insulate the energy source from the housing and to provide a selected resistance to dielectric failure resulting from the ionizing radiation.
US08686341B2 Image sensor with double integration time and conditional selection
An image sensor for gathering images at one and the same time at low illumination level and at high illumination level is described. The sensor operates with a double integration time at each frame. Two successive charge transfers from a photodiode to a storage node are performed, the first after a first duration, the second after a second duration different from the first. The potential of the storage node after the first transfer of charge is sampled in a first capacitor of the reading circuit. The potential after a reinitialization of the storage node is sampled in a second capacitor. A level of potential taken after the second transfer is conditionally resampled in the first capacitor. The condition of the resampling is a condition of signal level after the first transfer. This level is applied to the differential amplifier of a ramp-type converter for a short duration of ramp.
US08686339B2 Solid-state imaging device, driving method thereof, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged. The pixels each includes a photoelectric conversion section, a transfer transistor, a plurality of floating diffusion sections receiving a charge from the photoelectric conversion section through the transfer transistor, a reset transistor resetting the floating diffusion sections, a separating transistor performing on-off control of a connection between the plurality of floating diffusion sections, and an amplifying transistor outputting a signal corresponding to a potential of the floating diffusion sections.
US08686334B2 Terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array with offset solar cell modules
Terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic arrays that may include a modular design that is sized and weighted to facilitate installation with a small amount of manpower. The array may further be adapted to be adjusted during or after installation to accommodate the necessary power requirements. The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array may include a torque tube that may be constructed of discrete sections. A drive may be connected to the torque tube to rotate the torque tube. A number of solar cell modules may be connected to the torque tube. The modules may be positioned at offsetting angular orientations depending upon their distance away from the drive. This offset positioning compensates for twisting distortion of the torque tube caused by the drive rotating the torque tube. At one point of rotation, each of the solar cell modules may be substantially aligned in a common plane.
US08686332B2 Optically-controlled shunt circuit for maximizing photovoltaic panel efficiency
An optically-controlled shunt (OCS) circuit includes a switch and a light sampler. The light sampler is coupled to the switch and is configured to sample light at a photovoltaic (PV) cell corresponding to the OCS circuit and to turn on the switch when the sampled light comprises insufficient light for the PV cell. The light sampler may also be configured to turn off the switch when the sampled light comprises sufficient light for the PV cell. The light sampler may further be configured to partially turn on the switch when the sampled light comprises adequate light for the PV cell and to turn off the switch when the sampled light comprises full light for the PV cell. The switch could include a transistor, and the light sampler could include a photodiode.
US08686325B2 Remotely guided gun-fired and mortar rounds
A method for guiding a gun-fired or mortared round towards an intended target. The method including: capturing image data from an image pick-up device during a descent of the round; transmitting the image data to a control platform remotely located from the round; transmitting guidance information to the round from the remote platform based on the captured image data; varying a flight path of the round based on the guidance information to guide the round towards its intended target.
US08686323B2 Freezable/microwavable packaging films and venting packages
Multilayer freezable/microwaveable films and packages having both low temperature resistance to withstand subzero freezer storage temperatures and high temperature resistance to withstand microwave cooking temperatures. The freezable/microwaveable films and packages include, for example, a film having at least three coextruded layers including an inner heat sealable layer, at least one core layer adjacent to the heat sealable layer, and an outer skin layer adjacent the core layer opposite the heat sealable layer. Preferably, the films and packages further include an outer protective layer laminated to the outer skin layer. The freezable/microwaveable packages can include a venting system, such as vent slits or a vent valve in the package, or vents in at least one seal of the package, to facilitate microwave heating or cooking of the package contents.
US08686322B2 Microwave heating construct with elevatable bottom
A microwave heating construct includes a movable portion defined at least partially by lines of disruption extending between adjacent edges of the bottom panel. The movable portion is adapted to be moved towards the interior space for maintaining a food item in an elevated position within the construct. A susceptor or other microwave energy interactive element may be joined to the movable portion to enhance heating, browning, and/or crisping of the food item.
US08686316B2 Automatic welding device of the MIG/MAG type
The present invention concerns an automatic welding device of MIG/MAG type consisting of at least one carriage holding at least one welding head comprising at least one torch (1) guiding a consumable electrode wire along a parting plane (P) between the pipes to be welded, which brings the current to the end of the electrode wire in order to generate an electric arc and ensure melting of the filler metal,The invention consists of the fact that the welding head therefore presents a welding torch (1) intended to be centered in relation to the parting plane (P) to ensure the penetration pass and also bears at least two other so-called tracking welding torches (2, 3), respectively positioned one after the other following the first so-called central welding torch (1) and offset respectively on both sides of the so-called central torch (1) in order to make lateral passes.Application to the welding of metal pipes in order to form pipelines.
US08686314B2 Method of soldering or welding components
A method for soldering or welding components in a series production wherein: a fixing seam which connects the components (1, 2) is produced by melting a connecting material (3), which is supplied as an additional material or is formed by a base material of the components (1, 2), along a joint formed by the components (1, 2); and a volume-forming layer of connecting material is deposited onto the fixing seam by melting, or the fixing seam produced by means of the connecting material supplied as an additional material is re-melted.
US08686312B2 Weld cap changing tools
A weld cap changing tool for removing weld caps from weld shanks includes an elongated shaft portion, a first weld cap removing portion that includes two prongs extending away from the shaft portion to free distal ends, the two prongs of the first weld cap removing portion being separated by a first characteristic gap, and a second weld cap removing portion that includes two prongs extending away from the shaft portion to free distal ends, the two prongs of the second weld cap removing portion being separated by a second characteristic gap. When the weld cap changing tool is in a first engagement position, the first weld cap removing portion engages the first weld cap and, and when in a second engagement position different from the first engagement position, the second weld cap removing portion engages the second weld cap of a different size than the first weld cap.
US08686310B2 Packaged chip detection and classification device
A packaged chip detection and classification device includes a rotation unit for transporting a plurality of packaged chips, a packaged chip detection unit, and a packaged chip classification unit. The rotation unit includes a rotary turntable, a plurality of receiving portions formed on the rotary turntable, and a plurality of suction-exhaust openings respectively formed in the receiving portions. Each receiving portion is used to selectively receive at least one of the packaged chips. The packaged chip detection unit includes a packaged chip detection module adjacent to the rotation unit for detecting each packaged chip. The packaged chip classification unit includes a packaged chip classification module adjacent to the rotation unit for classifying the packaged chips. Therefore, the packaged chip detection and classification device can be used to detect and classify no-lead packaged chips by matching the rotation unit, the packaged chip detection unit, and the packaged chip classification unit.
US08686307B2 Metal mesh contact and switch and method for producing the same
An electrical contact (1) that comprises a core body (3) made from elasticmaterial and having outer, inner and side surfaces, a metal mesh layer (5) extending to the outer and sidesurfaces of the core body (3) and a bonding layer (7) covering the edge of the metal mesh layer (5) at the side surface of the core body (3). Since the metal mesh layer (5) is provided to the outer surface (contact surface) of the core body (3), the outer surface comes in contact with the other contact surface with a number of contact points. By providing the bonding layer (7), the edge (cut surface) of the metal mesh (5) is rarely exposed to air and the rusting which occurs easily at the edge can be prevented. And, the bonding layer (7) has a function for preventing the key top material from coming into around the outer surface of the electrical contact at the process for attaching the contact (1) to the key top. Accordingly, an electrical contact capable of having a number of contact points, such as a metal mesh, prevents rust of the metal mesh and further failure of a bonding operation to a key top of a key switch can be provided.
US08686305B2 Handle switch of vehicle
This invention is directed to providing a handle switch which is easy in operating a horn switch and also can be easily distinguished from other switches.In a handle switch 30 of a vehicle, a horn switch 32 is disposed at a position which is overlaid on an axis line (D) of a handle grip 10 when a housing 60 is projected from a driver's front view direction and also on the vehicle body rear side further than other switches. Other switches including an optical-axis changing switch 31 and a turn signal switch 33 are disposed so as to deviate vertically with respect to the horn switch 32. The horn switch 32 is formed so as to be longer in the axis line direction of the handle grip 10, swinging about a swing shaft 36 installed at the end closer to the handle grip 10 by being pressed toward the vehicle body front side. The horn switch 32 is increased in area of an operating surface 32e, a clearance between upper and lower contour lines and a protruding amount from the housing 60, respectively, from a vehicle body outward part 32d toward a vehicle body inward part 32c.
US08686303B2 Thin film switch and press key/keyboard using the same
A thin film switch, comprising: a first thin film, having a first conductor unit mounted thereon; and a second thin film, having a second conductor unit mounted on a surface thereof facing toward the first thin film; wherein, the first conductor unit is composed of at least one first electric conductor; and the second conductor is composed of a plurality of second electric conductors to be arranged in a manner that one of the plural second electric conductors is disposed at a first position defined on the second thin film while designating another one of the plural second electric conductors to be disposed at a second position of the second thin film. Operationally, the thin film switch is capable of outputting different signals in response to different forces exerted thereon for triggering different electric conductors mounted on different positions in the thin film switch.
US08686301B2 System to determine if vehicle correctly positioned during weighting, scale ticket data system and methods for using same
A vehicle weighing system for counting the number of vehicle axles before and after weighing of an unloaded vehicle to determine if the unloaded vehicle is correctly positioned during weighing, as well as method for generating a scale ticket to record vehicle axle count data from the vehicle weighing system. Also, a scale ticket data system with a plurality of such scale tickets and a scale ticket electronic database which collects the scale tickets and identifies those scale tickets corresponding to unloaded and weighed vehicles which are correctly or incorrectly positioned during weighing, as well as a method for querying the scale ticket electronic database to identify those scale tickets corresponding to unloaded and weighed vehicles which are correctly or incorrectly positioned during weighing.
US08686299B2 Electronic element unit and reinforcing adhesive agent
An electronic element unit (1) includes an electronic element (2) having a plurality of connecting terminals (12) on a lower surface thereof, a circuit board (3) having a plurality of electrodes (22) corresponding to the connecting terminals (12) on an upper surface thereof. The connecting terminals (12) and the electrodes (22) are connected by solder bumps (23), and the electronic element (2) and the circuit board (3) are partly bond by a resin bond part (24) made of a thermosetting material of a thermosetting resin, and a metal powder (25) is included in the resin bond parts (24) in a dispersed state. The metal powder (25) has a melting point lower than a temperature at which the resin bond parts (24) are heated when a work (a repairing work) is carried out for removing the electronic element (2) from the circuit board (3).
US08686295B2 Heat-dissipating substrate and fabricating method thereof
Disclosed herein are a heat-dissipating substrate and a fabricating method thereof. The heat-dissipating substrate includes a plating layer divided by a first insulator formed in a division area. A metal plate is formed on an upper surface of the plating layer and filled with a second insulator at a position corresponding to the division area, with an anodized layer formed on a surface of the metal plate. A circuit layer is formed on the anodized layer which is formed on an upper surface of the metal plate. The heat-dissipating substrate and fabricating method thereof achieves thermal isolation by a first insulator formed in a division area and a second insulator.
US08686289B2 Sealing mechanism and method for drop cable splice enclosures
A sealing mechanism for a drop cable splice enclosure includes a base having an entry hole for receiving a drop cable inserted through a compression grommet assembly, from outside the enclosure. The cable can be prepared for splicing, outside the enclosure. The grommet assembly (and the optionally prepared cable) are inserted into the entry hole, from outside the enclosure. The assembly includes upper and lower pressure plates, a compressible grommet between them, and an adjustment mechanism to apply a compression force to the grommet. The grommet assembly is rotatable to lock it in a keyed section in the entry hole. The adjustment mechanism is then tightened, from outside the enclosure, to compress the grommet between the pressure plates, which seals the grommet in the enclosure base, at the same time sealing the cable in the passageway through the grommet.
US08686287B1 Surface mount electrical box for shallow wall cavities
A surface mount electrical box for mounting on walls with shallow wall cavities. The surface mount electrical box includes an outer frame with shallow sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending orthogonally from the sidewalls. Box sidewalls extend orthogonally from the peripheral wall and are closed by a back wall to form an electrical enclosure therein. Component connection points for an electrical component are included on the outer frame. A first fastening arrangement includes bosses on the outer frame for accepting fasteners therein for securing the surface mount box directly to the wall covering surrounding a shallow wall cavity. A second fastening arrangement includes apertures in the back wall for accepting fasteners therein for securing the surface mount box directly to the substrate underlying a shallow wall cavity.
US08686282B2 Solar power system for space vehicles or satellites using inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cells
A system for generating electrical power from solar radiation utilizing a thin film III-V compound multijunction semiconductor solar cell mounted on a support in a non-planar configuration is disclosed herein.
US08686281B2 Semiconductor device and solar battery using the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor circuit on an insulated metal substrate, which includes an anodized film formed on at least one side of an Al substrate, wherein the Al substrate has a potential higher than an average potential of the semiconductor circuit when the semiconductor circuit is driven.
US08686278B2 Energy-efficient micro-combustion system for power generation and fuel processing
An integrated micro-combustion power generator converts hydrocarbon fuel into electricity. The integrated micro-scale power generator includes a micro-machined combustor adapted to convert hydrocarbon fuel into thermal energy and a micro-machined thermoelectric generator adapted to convert the thermal energy into electrical energy. The combustion reaction in the combustor flows in a path in a first plane while the thermal energy flows in a second plane in the generator; the second plane being nearly orthogonal or orthogonal to the first plane. The fuel handler in the combustor is adjacent and thermally isolated from the thermoelectric generator. The fuel handler may include a nozzle and gas flow switch, where the frequency of activation of the gas flow switch controls the amount of the fuel ejected from the nozzle.
US08686275B1 Pedal actuator with nonlinear sensor
A piano is equipped with an actuator that moves the piano pedal mechanism in a manner that reproduces the pedaling effects of an original performance with high accuracy. The actuator comprises a solenoid, a permanent magnet, a velocity sense coil, and a Hall-effect sensor. The Hall-effect sensor provides an indication of the displacement of the solenoid plunger in accordance with an inverse-square law. Closed-loop feedback control is provided to effect a very true reproduction of pedaling effects. Automatic calibration allows for simple installation.
US08686267B2 Brass instrument practice device
A brass instrument practice device (1) is used for practicing while holding a lip state for playing a brass instrument and has a tubular body (10) and a mouth piece portion (20). The tubular body (10) has a through hole (11) formed inside. The mouth piece portion (20) is secured on one end side of the tubular body (10), has a cross-sectional shape relatively long in one direction so as to fit the shape between the upper and lower lips, and has an opening portion (22) communicating with the through hole (11) and constituting a flow path through which air from the lips flows.
US08686264B2 Percussion instrument apparatus, system and process
A percussion instrument includes a mainframe having a bottom part defining a lower surface. A head is tensioned over an inner part of the mainframe. A hoop structure is arranged over the outer periphery of the head and applies tension to the head. The hoop structure has a lower surface provided with a plurality of recesses. Female threaded connector parts are contained within the recesses. A plurality of bolts extend through the bottom part of the mainframe and engage the female threaded connector parts, to affix the hoop structure to the mainframe. The bolts extend into the bottom part of the mainframe, such that exposure of the bolts on the upper surface side of the hoop structure can be avoided.
US08686263B2 Musical instrument
The present invention provides a hinge tube which is disposed in a musical instrument to connect to keys and valves of the musical instrument. The hinge tube forms at least one recess portion on a periphery of the hinge tube. Thereby, the positions on which the valves and the keys disposed are able to be identified easily, and the valves and the keys are fixed to the hinge tube more firmly to improve the stability of the musical instrument.
US08686261B1 Maize inbred PH1MC9
A novel maize variety designated PH1MC9 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MC9 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MC9 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1MC9 or a locus conversion of PH1MC9 with another maize variety.
US08686260B1 Maize inbred PH1MBC
A novel maize variety designated PH1MBC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MBC with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MBC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1MBC or a locus conversion of PH1MBC with another maize variety.
US08686258B2 Maize inbred PH1KR5
A novel maize variety designated PH1KR5 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1KR5 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1KR5 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1KR5 or a locus conversion of PH1KR5 with another maize variety.
US08686256B1 Maize inbred PH1DB1
A novel maize variety designated PH1DB1 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1DB1 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1DB1 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1DB1 or a locus conversion of PH1DB1 with another maize variety.
US08686255B1 Maize inbred PH1M5G
A novel maize variety designated PH1M5G and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1M5G with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1M5G through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1M5G or a locus conversion of PH1M5G with another maize variety.
US08686252B1 Maize inbred PH1KFW
A novel maize variety designated PH1KFW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1KFW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1KFW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1KFW or a locus conversion of PH1KFW with another maize variety.
US08686250B1 Maize inbred PH1KYV
A novel maize variety designated PH1KYV and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1KYV with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1KYV through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1KYV or a locus conversion of PH1KYV with another maize variety.
US08686249B1 Maize hybrid X08C971
A novel maize variety designated X08C971 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08C971 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08C971 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08C971, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08C971. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08C971.
US08686247B1 Maize variety hybrid X8T137
A novel maize variety designated X8T137 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8T137 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8T137 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8T137, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8T137. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8T137.
US08686243B2 Bean variety RS 08061275
The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated RS 08061275. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line RS 08061275, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line RS 08061275 with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line RS 08061275, including the pods and gametes of such plants.
US08686239B2 Soybean variety XR29A12
A novel soybean variety, designated XR29A12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XR29A12, cells from soybean variety XR29A12, plants of soybean XR29A12, and plant parts of soybean variety XR29A12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XR29A12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XR29A12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XR29A12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XR29A12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XR29A12 are further provided.
US08686231B2 Maize with increased tolerance to fungal diseases
The present invention relates to the field of improving the digestibility of maize and the tolerance of maize to fungal pathogens, and in particular to Fusarium disease, by introgression of the G2092 allele.
US08686225B2 Monocot seed product comprising a human blood protein
The invention is directed to blood proteins produced in monocot seeds and isolated therefrom for use in therapeutic compositions, as well as to methods of making these isolated blood proteins and to therapeutic compositions comprising them.
US08686224B2 Plant defense signal peptides
A 23 amino acid peptide, AtPep1, plays an important role as a signaling component of the innate immune system of Arabidopsis. The peptide precursor gene is transcribed in response to elicitors generated by pathogens, and AtPep1 is produced to amplify the signaling pathways. Seven paralogs of the AtproPep1 gene have been identified in the Arabidopsis genome, and orthologs have been identified in species of several agriculturally important families. AtPep1 and its paralogs and orthologs play important roles as endogenous signals to amplify innate immunity. The sequences of two AtPep1 receptors from Arabidopsis are also provided.
US08686222B2 Use of dendrimer nanotechnology for delivery of biomolecules into plant cells
Provided are methods for introducing a molecule of interest into a plant cell having a cell wall by using dendrimers, and optionally one or more Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs). Methods are provided for genetically or otherwise modifying plants and for treating or preventing disease in plant cells comprising a cell wall.
US08686219B2 Methods of quantifying target organisms and creating reniform resistant cotton plants
The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. More specifically, the invention includes methods for assaying a location to determine the amount of pest infestation, or assaying a plant for its ability to resist infection, and using this information to make agronomic treatment and/or breeding decisions. The invention also provides methods for breeding cotton plants containing one or more quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to reniform nematode infection. The invention further includes germplasm and the use of germplasm containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring reniform resistance as a source of reniform resistant alleles for introgression into elite germplasm in a breeding program, thus producing novel elite germplasm comprising one or more reniform resistance loci.
US08686218B2 Strategies for the transgenic manipulation of filamentous fungi
Disclosed is a new technology that enables the transgenic modification of a mushroom-forming fungus to confer a transgenic genotype and/or phenotype. According to the invention herein, one can manipulate the fruiting body of a fungus conferring an altered phenotype, but a wild-type genotype. The fruiting body itself is devoid of any cognate transgene, and Applicants have discovered a new mechanism of protein synthesis and accumulation in fungi and a technique to independently control the genotype and phenotype of the fruiting body.
US08686215B2 Absorbent articles comprising an odour control system
An absorbent article comprising an odor control material comprising at least one inclusion complex of cyclodextrin with an organic compound which is dispersed in a matrix comprising a polysiloxane oil.
US08686209B2 α-Olefin manufacturing process
In an α-olefin manufacturing process by the oligomerization of ethylene using an iron complex of a diimine of a 2,6-diacylpyridine or a 2,6-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, in which certain substituted iminoaryl groups are present, less higher molecular weight unwanted products are produced when the diimine and/or its precursor arylamine does not have impurities with substitution on a second ortho position to the imino group. This leads to less fouling of the process apparatus and higher yields of desired α-olefins.
US08686208B2 Nitrogen containing catalyst for coupling reactions
A process for making styrene including providing a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst and reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and styrene. The C1 source can be selected from the group of methanol, formaldehyde, formalin, trioxane, methylformcel, paraformaldehyde, methylal, dimethyl ether, and combinations thereof, and wherein the catalyst contains a nitrogen-substituted zeolite.
US08686207B2 Process for preparing ethylene and propylene
The present invention provides a process for preparing ethylene and propylene, comprising the step of: a) contacting a feed comprising methanol, ethanol and C4+ olefins with a catalyst, comprising ZSM-5 having a silica to alumina ratio in the range of from 40 to 100, at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 1000° C. to obtain a olefinic product comprising ethylene and propylene.
US08686205B2 Method for production of styrene from toluene and methanol
A process is disclosed for making styrene by converting methanol to formaldehyde in a reactor then reacting the formaldehyde with toluene to form styrene in a separate reactor.
US08686200B2 Process to recover alcohol from an acidic residue stream
Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.
US08686199B2 Process for reducing the concentration of acetic acid in a crude alcohol product
A process for producing ethanol and, in particular, to a process for reducing the concentration of acetic acid in a crude ethanol product by esterifying unreacted acetic acid with an alcohol.
US08686195B2 Method for synthesizing acrolein from glycerol
The present invention relates to a process for synthesizing acrolein, coupling the dehydration of glycerol into acrolein with a reaction for aldol condensation of acetaldehyde, produced in the form of an impurity during the dehydration, by means of formaldehyde.More particularly, the process according to the invention consists in subjecting the gaseous effluent resulting from the glycerol dehydration reaction to cooling, then in first of all carrying out, in a first zone, washing with water and condensation of said gaseous effluent so as to then separate, in a second fractionation zone, firstly, a stream rich in light aldehydes, secondly, a stream rich in water and, thirdly, the acrolein stream, and then in reacting the acetaldehyde contained in the light aldehydes-rich stream resulting from the preceding step with formaldehyde so as to obtain a second acrolein-rich stream by means of an aldol condensation reaction according to the following reaction scheme: CH3—CHO+CH2O→CH2═CH—CHO+H2O and in recycling this second acrolein-rich stream to the preceding step.
US08686190B2 Bis-aromatic anticancer agents
Treatment of cancer includes administering a compound of formula (I) to a subject. In particular, treatment of colorectal cancer is described.
US08686189B2 Optically active diamine derivative and process for producing the same
The invention is directed to a process for producing intermediates of a compound which exhibits an activated blood coagulation factor Xa inhibitory action and which is a useful preventive and a therapeutic agent for thrombotic diseases. The intermediate production process is represented by the following reaction scheme.
US08686187B2 Ethoxy diphenyl ethane derivatives, preparation processes and uses thereof
The invention discloses an ethoxydiphenylethane derivative and a synthetic method and uses thereof 4′ position of phenylethane B aromatic ring is chemically modified by ethoxy and hydroxy at position 3′ thereof is simultaneously modified to water soluble prodrug such as phosphate, and similarly, amino acid side chain is introduced to amino at position 3′ to form amino acid amide water soluble prodrug having the structure shown as formula (I) the ethoxydiphenylethane derivative and the prodrug thereof include strong tubulin aggregation inhibiting ability and obvious target damage effect for tumor vessels, selectively cause dysfunction and structural damage of tumor vessels and induce apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in order to play the role of killing tumor cells or inhibiting tumor metastasis in case that the tumor cells are free from the support of nutrition and oxygen.
US08686186B2 Methods, processes, and systems for treating and purifying crude terephthalic acid and associated process streams
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods or processes for purifying CTA, systems for purifying CTA, methods or processes for cooling mother liquor streams, systems for cooling mother liquor streams, methods or processes for treating mother liquor solids, systems for treating mother liquor solids, and the like.
US08686183B2 Metal-catalysed carbonylation of unsaturated compounds
The invention provides a method for the hydroxycarbonylation, alkoxycarbonylation, aryloxycarbonylation or thiocarbonylation of an unsaturated molecule. The method includes a hydroxycarbonylation, alkoxycarbonylation, aryloxycarbonylationor thiocarbonylation reaction on the unsaturated molecule in which a complex including a ligand comprising a [n,n′] cyclophane comprising two non-fused monocyclic aromatic rings bridged by two linear and aliphatic linkages, in which each of the non-fused monocyclic aromatic rings is substituted with a phosphorus atom-containing substituent, is used to catalyse the reaction.
US08686181B2 Method for producing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate
The present invention relates to a process for preparing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, which comprises transesterification of ethylene glycol with an ester of methacrylic acid in the presence of catalysts, wherein a combination comprising lithium amide (LiNH2) and lithium chloride (LiCl) is used as catalyst. The process of the invention makes it possible to prepare ethylene glycol dimethacrylate particularly inexpensively and in a very high purity.
US08686174B2 Partially hydrocarbon group-blocked (poly)glycerol-modified polysiloxane, method for producing the same, and cosmetic composition containing the same
The present invention provides a novel modified-polysiloxane, method for producing the same, and a cosmetic containing the same. The aforementioned modified-polysiloxane exhibits a reduced viscosity and superior operationability as compared with conventional polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxanes and polyglycerol-modified polysiloxanes. In addition, since the modified-polysiloxane is hardly oxidized in air, hardly produce allergenic compounds such as formates, and aldehydes such as formaldehyde, during storage over time, an increased environmental compatibility can be exhibited. In addition, the modified-polysiloxane of the present invention exhibits a reduced hydrolysis property and is stable. In the modified-polysiloxane of the present invention, the terminal hydroxyl groups of a polyglycerol-modified polysiloxane are partially blocked with hydrocarbon groups.
US08686170B2 Method of preparing alcohol esters from triglycerides and alcohols using heterogeneous catalysts based on nitrogen-containing metallophosphates
A method of preparing a composition of alcohol esters of linear monocarboxylic acids with 6 to 26 carbon atoms from a vegetable or animal oil, neutral or acid, virgin or recycled, with monoalcohols having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, in the presence of a catalyst of nitrogen-containing metallophosphate type.
US08686165B2 Process for preparation of taxane derivatives
The present disclosure relates to processes for the preparation of taxane derivatives with improved purity and enhanced stability. The taxane derivatives prepared according to the processes described herein are useful for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions.
US08686164B2 Crystallization of 4′-epidaunorubicin hydrochloride
4′-epidaunorubicin hydrochloride is provided in a crystalline form which is stable and readily soluble. A process of producing the crystalline form includes crystallizing 4′-epidaunorubicin hydrochloride in a solvent system including (a) solvent A selected from C1 and C2 halogenated solvents and mixtures thereof, (b) solvent B selected from C1-C5 straight and branched alcohols and mixtures thereof, and (c) solvent C selected from C1-C5 straight and branched alcohols and mixtures thereof, wherein solvent C is selected to provide lower solubility to 4′-epidaunorubicin hydrochloride than solvent B.
US08686155B2 Aurora kinase modulators and method of use
The present invention relates to chemical compounds having a general formula I wherein A1, A2, C1, C2, D, L1, L2, Z and R3, R4, R6, R7 and R8 are defined herein, which are capable of modulating Aurora kinase protein activity, thereby influencing various disease states and conditions related to the activities of Aurora kinase proteins. For example, the compounds are capable of influencing the process of cell cycle and cell proliferation to treat cancer and cancer-related diseases. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions, processes of preparing compounds of the invention, synthetic intermediates and methods of treatment of conditions related to the activity of Aurora kinase.
US08686154B2 Compounds and compositions for delivering active agents
Carrier compounds and compositions therewith which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. Methods of administration and preparation are provided as well.
US08686150B2 6-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-alkyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-4-carboxylic acid amide derivatives as kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine compounds of the formula I, in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are defined as indicated below. The compounds of the formula I are kinase inhibitors, and are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with diabetes and diabetic complications, such as, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, for example. The invention furthermore relates to the use of compounds of the formula I, in particular as active ingredients in pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US08686144B2 Condensed pyridine derivatives useful as potent inhibitors of the protein kinase CK2
The invention relates to the use of specific compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts: (Formula 1) (I) as a new family of protein kinase CK2 inhibitors; the invention also relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders and/or diseases chosen amongst cancers; autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; infectious diseases; diabetes angiogenesis related disorders; retinopathies and cardiac hypertrophy.
US08686138B2 Heteroleptic pyrrolecarbaldimine precursors
Disclosed are precursors having a pyrrolecarbaldiminates ligand and methods of synthesizing the same. The pyrrolecarbaldiminates ligand may be substituted.
US08686135B2 Methods of synthesis and purification of heteroaryl compounds
Provided herein are methods to prepare Heteroaryl Compounds having the following structure: wherein R1-R4 are as defined herein. The Heteroaryl compounds are useful for treating or preventing cancer, inflammatory conditions, immunological conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, obesity, neurological disorders, age-related diseases, or cardiovascular conditions.
US08686128B2 Agent for targeting c-Jun mRNA
The present invention provides a method of preventing or reducing restenosis, neointima formation, graft failure, atherosclerosis, angiogenesis and/or solid tumor growth in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject a prophylactically effective dose of a nucleic acid which decreases the level of c-Jun mRNA, c-Jun mRNA translation or nuclear accumulation or activity of c-Jun. It is preferred that the nucleic acid is a DNAzyme that targets c-Jun mRNA.